By Divyanshi Sinha
The Supreme Court of India took "serious note" of a localized but alarming security crisis in West Bengal’s Malda district, where seven judicial officials were reportedly held hostage during a state-led exercise. Terming the incident "deplorable," the apex court has demanded an immediate response from the West Bengal Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) regarding their alleged inaction.
The officials were reportedly performing duties related to a Statutory Information Registry (SIR) exercise when they were cornered by local agitators. The incident has sparked a political firestorm in the capital, with Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha accusing the state government of "weaponizing" local law enforcement and undermining the morale of the judiciary. The Supreme Court has directed appellate tribunals to proceed with caution while hearing cases of voters excluded from SIR lists, ensuring that the legal process is not derailed by regional violence. The Chief Justice has hinted at the possibility of deploying central forces to oversee judicial safety if the state fails to provide adequate protection
