The Supreme Court of India has expressed grave concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 elections. This comes after seven judicial officers involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list were allegedly held hostage for nine hours by a mob in Malda’s Kaliachak-II block. Labeling West Bengal as the “most polarised state” in the country, the apex court observed that the incident was a “pre-planned conspiracy” designed to derail the democratic electoral process.

The bench noted that such blockades are intended to intimidate officials performing crucial constitutional duties. Taking immediate action, the Supreme Court has directed the deployment of Central Forces to ensure the safety and security of judicial officers engaged in electoral work. The incident at the Kaliachak-II BDO office has highlighted the volatile atmosphere in the state, prompting the court to intervene directly to protect the integrity of the upcoming elections. Officials believe this security measure is essential for a fair and transparent voter list revision process amidst rising political tensions.