Chief Election Commissioner Demands Swift Action Against Malda Judicial Officers' Harassment
Synopsis
In a pressing virtual meeting, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar urged West Bengal Police to swiftly apprehend all responsible for the harassment of judicial officers in Malda, highlighting serious concerns over delayed police actions and ongoing protests.
Key Takeaways
Immediate action is required against those involved in the harassment of judicial officers.
The police's delayed response has raised serious concerns.
The ongoing protests reflect a broader issue regarding voter list discrepancies.
The safety of judicial officials must be prioritized.
Effective communication between judicial officers and authorities is essential.
Kolkata, April 2 (NationPress) The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, held a virtual meeting on Thursday, instructing the West Bengal Police to ensure the prompt arrest of all individuals involved in the harassment of seven judicial adjudication officers in Kaliachak, Malda district, by midnight.
During this meeting, West Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta and Malda district police superintendent Anupam Singh faced criticism from the CEC due to the police's slow response in rescuing the seven judicial officers, including three women, who were effectively held hostage for more than seven hours by a protesting group over the removal of their names from the voters' list during the ongoing judicial review of cases under the category of 'logical discrepancy.'
Present at the meeting were notable figures such as West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, State Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala, and State Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh, among others.
An insider from the State CEO's office, who was privy to the meeting's discussions, revealed that the CEC expressed dissatisfaction regarding the delayed police action to rescue the officers on Wednesday night and the ongoing protests for the past two days in front of the State CEO's office in Kolkata.
Additionally, the CEC questioned the lack of police intervention in managing tensions near Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence in South Kolkata, especially as the convoy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari was en route to the Alipore Survey Building for Adhikari to submit his nomination for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.
Also attending the meeting was Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, who was similarly reprimanded by the CEC regarding the incident near the Chief Minister's residence.
The insider from the CEO's office added that the CEC raised concerns about why the Malda district police superintendent was absent from the scene and had instead dispatched the additional district police superintendent.
Furthermore, the CEC questioned why the judicial adjudication officers, who were held hostage, could not reach out to Malda District Magistrate Rajanvir Singh Kapur via mobile phone.
Point of View
This incident underscores the critical need for law enforcement to respond swiftly and effectively in the face of public unrest, especially when it involves judicial officials. The CEC's strong stance reflects a commitment to uphold the sanctity of judicial processes and the safety of those who serve within it.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Chief Election Commissioner's meeting?
The meeting was convened to address the harassment of seven judicial adjudication officers in Malda and to ensure swift police action against the culprits.
Who were the key figures present during the meeting?
Key figures included Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, West Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta, and Malda district police superintendent Anupam Singh.
What specific actions did the CEC demand?
The CEC demanded the immediate arrest of all individuals involved in the harassment incident and raised concerns over police inaction.
Where did the protests take place?
Protests occurred in Kaliachak, Malda district, and also outside the State CEO's office in Kolkata.
Why was the response from the police criticized?
The police's delayed response in rescuing the judicial officers and managing protests was a significant point of criticism during the meeting.
