New Delhi: The Supreme Court expressed “extreme disappointment” on Thursday regarding the administrative failure to protect judicial officers who were “gheraoed” (surrounded and detained) by anti-social elements in West Bengal. The Court specifically criticized the State’s Chief Secretary for being unreachable during the emergency because he had not shared a mobile number equipped with WhatsApp.
The Incident: Judicial Officers Under Siege
The case, taken up suo motu by the apex court, involves the safety of judicial officers assigned to the *Special Intensive Revision (SIR)* of electoral rolls.
The Crisis: Seven judicial officers, including three women, were trapped by a mob at a BDO office in the Kaliachowk area of Malda district starting around 3:30 p.m.
The Delay: Despite urgent pleas for help from the Calcutta High Court, the State administration displayed “conspicuous inertia,” failing to act until approximately 8:30 p.m.
“Highly Deplorable”: Court Rebukes Top Officials
A bench comprising *Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi did not mince words regarding the breakdown of the state machinery.
“We are extremely disappointed to note… that the Chief Secretary of the State could not be contacted, as he had not shared a mobile number with WhatsApp facility, as a result of which no communication could be conveyed to him,” the Court recorded.
The Bench described the conduct of the following senior officials as *”highly deplorable”*:
Chief Secretary
Home Secretary
Director General of Police (DGP)
District Collector & Superintendent of Police
The Court noted that the State should have immediately alerted the Election Commission of India (ECI) and requested central forces to ensure a safe evacuation.
The ECI Connection
The situation is complicated by the fact that the Election Commission recently overhauled West Bengal’s top leadership. On March 16, the ECI replaced the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and DGP to ensure neutrality during the election period.
New Appointments: Dushyant Nariala (Chief Secretary), Sanghamitra Ghosh (Home Secretary), and Siddh Nath Gupta (DGP).
The State’s Defense: Lawyers for the West Bengal government argued that since these officials were appointed by the ECI, the State government had no direct control over their actions.
Next Steps
The Supreme Court has ordered the top officials to appear virtually at the next hearing to explain why prompt measures were not taken to secure the judicial officers. The Court emphasized that administrative transitions do not absolve officials of their primary duty to maintain law and order and protect members of the judiciary.
