ECI directs NIA to probe attack on judicial officers in Bengal

New Delhi: Following Supreme Court orders, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the alleged attack on judicial officers in West Bengal's Malda district during electoral roll revision.

In a letter to the NIA Director General, ECI Secretary referenced the Supreme Court's April 2 order in a suo motu writ petition on the safety of officers involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The communication highlighted the "gherao" of seven judicial officers by anti-social elements at the Kaliachowk BDO office. It requested a preliminary inquiry report be sent directly to the court.

The Supreme Court, led by CJI Surya Kant, condemned the incident as a "brazen attempt" to intimidate the judiciary. The bench directed ECI to assign the probe to an independent agency, demanded a preliminary report, and issued guidelines for officer safety and SIR smooth conduct. It noted the local administration's "conspicuous inertia" after a Calcutta High Court report. The matter returns to court on April 6 for compliance updates.

On Wednesday, voters whose names were deleted under the "logical discrepancy" category held the officers—including three women—hostage for nine hours in Kaliachak's block office. Police, led by senior officials, rescued them around 1 a.m. Thursday, though reports claim an attack attempt on their convoy afterward.

Earlier, West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer had suggested CBI involvement, but ECI opted for NIA. Sources say an NIA team will arrive in Bengal today to start probing.

BJP leaders, including LoP Suvendu Adhikari and state president Samik Bhattacharya, called the attack pre-planned. Adhikari alleged a conspiracy to alter border demographics in Malda and Murshidabad, spread fake notes, and enable non-war occupation of India. Bhattacharya claimed Lashkar militants were arrested in the state and COVID-era modules set up in areas like Cooch Behar.

(Inputs from IANS)