The Supreme Court has taken a serious note of the harrowing incident in Malda’s Kaliachak, where seven judicial officers were held hostage for eight hours and their convoy was pelted with stones. During the hearing on Thursday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi criticized the state administration for its delayed response and ordered immediate central force protection for judicial officers.

Chief Justice Surya Kant revealed that despite the standoff beginning at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, no significant police action was taken until late at night. The situation escalated to a point where the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court had to intervene personally, summoning the State DGP and Home Secretary to his residence at midnight. Even after their rescue, the judges’ vehicles were attacked with sticks and stones while returning. “This is a direct assault on the rule of law,” the bench observed.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi emphasized that the orders passed by these officers are orders of the Court, and their protection is the judiciary’s responsibility. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta called for a “stern message” to be sent to the perpetrators. Consequently, the Apex Court directed the Election Commission to deploy adequate Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) at the offices, hotels, and transit points where these judicial officers are stationed. The court also mandated a threat assessment for the officers and their families to ensure their continued safety during the voter verification process.