On Monday, the Supreme Court of India ordered the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate a serious incident of mob violence in Malda district, West Bengal, where seven judicial officers were held hostage for eight hours during a protest against the removal of names from the electoral rolls. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the state chief secretary's lack of accessibility during the crisis, highlighting the importance of accountability among state officials. The NIA reported identifying 12 instances where judicial officers faced coercion while performing their duties. The Supreme Court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to ensure the safety of judicial officers, directing that all FIRs related to the incident be transferred to the NIA. The court also summoned state officials to explain their actions and spared them from contempt proceedings, urging them to take their responsibilities seriously. The NIA is permitted to interrogate identified suspects and file status reports as the investigation progresses, with the next hearing scheduled for April 13. The court also addressed the need for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to maintain neutrality amid the ongoing situation.