Judicial Officers in Malda Raise Security Concerns Ahead of West Bengal Elections
Days before gherao, judicial officers wrote to Malda DM, flagged fear of security breach
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Four judicial officers in Malda, West Bengal, expressed security fears to the District Magistrate just days before being gheraoed at the Kaliachak-II Block Development Office. Following the incident, which involved hundreds of protesters, the officers have been relocated to hotels for safety, prompting a Supreme Court inquiry into the violence.
- 01Judicial officers raised security concerns before being gheraoed in Malda.
- 02Protesters blocked access to the Kaliachak-II Block Development Office, holding staff for hours.
- 03The Supreme Court ordered an investigation into the incident, which has now been handed to the NIA.
- 04Judicial officers are now working from hotels in Malda town for safety.
- 05Nineteen cases have been registered, and 36 individuals have been arrested in connection with the protest.
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In a concerning development ahead of the West Bengal elections, four judicial officers engaged in electoral roll adjudication for the Mothabari constituency expressed fears for their safety to District Magistrate Rajanvir Singh Kapoor. In a letter dated March 23, they highlighted a growing risk of security breaches due to tensions surrounding the publication of a supplementary voters' list. On April 1, hundreds of protesters gheraoed the Kaliachak-II Block Development Office, confining judicial officers and staff for hours. The Supreme Court has since criticized the West Bengal administration and ordered a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Following the incident, judicial officers have been relocated to hotels in Malda town, where they continue their work under enhanced security measures. The Additional Director General of Police acknowledged delays in the rescue operation and confirmed that 19 cases have been filed related to the protest, with 36 arrests made. The situation remains tense as judicial officers adapt to new working conditions.
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The relocation of judicial officers to hotels may affect the efficiency of electoral adjudication in the region, potentially delaying the electoral process.
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