Bengal SIR row: SC orders CBI/NIA probe into illegal confinement of seven officers
Bengal SIR row: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission to entrust the NIA or CBI the investigation into illegal confinement of seven judicial officers, including three women, involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ordered the probe agency to submit a preliminary report by the next date of hearing.
“This incident is a brazen attempt not only to browbeat judicial officers, but it also challenges the authority of this court. It was not a routine incident but appears to be a calculated, motivated move to demoralise the judicial officers and stop the ongoing process of adjudicating objections in left out cases,” the CJI said.
“We will not allow anyone to interfere and take law in their hands in order to create psychological attacks on the minds of judicial officers and constitute criminal contempt. This is also an abdication of duty by the West Bengal govt and the officers need to furnish reasons why even after being informed did the officers not ensure safe evacuation of the officers,” Justice Kant said, taking strong exception to the conduct of state government officers.
The Election Commission’s SIR exercise has emerged as a major flashpoint ahead of the Bengal assembly elections. The final voters’ list following the process saw over 63 lakh names deleted, while another 60 lakh voters were placed “under adjudication.” Judicial officers were tasked with reviewing these cases to determine whether the voters should remain on the rolls or be removed, following directions from the Supreme Court.
Polling in Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results to be announced on May 4.
The judicial officers were eventually rescued after nearly nine hours, around 1 am, by a police team. During the evacuation, protesters also pelted stones at the police van.
- PTC NEWS
