New Delhi, April 2 (NationPress) Following directives from the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reached out to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to initiate an investigation into a disturbing incident in the Malda district of West Bengal. This incident involved judicial officers who were on duty for electoral roll revision being allegedly gheraoed and assaulted.

In a letter sent to the Director General of the NIA, the ECI highlighted the Supreme Court's ruling in a suo motu writ petition regarding the protection and security of judicial officers participating in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.

“I reference the order dated 02.04.2026 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court… concerning the gherao of seven judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by anti-social elements at the BDO office in the Kaliachowk area of Malda district,” stated the ECI Secretary in the correspondence.

“In this context, I request that a thorough inquiry/investigation into the incident be undertaken, and a preliminary inquiry report be directly submitted to the Hon’ble Court,” the letter continued.

This development follows a stern reaction from the Supreme Court, which labeled the event a “brazen attempt” to intimidate the judiciary and a direct affront to its authority.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant instructed the ECI to assign the investigation to an independent agency and sought an initial report, while also mandating several measures to guarantee the safety of judicial officers and the uninterrupted execution of the SIR procedure.

The apex court took suo motu cognizance of the situation after receiving a report from the Calcutta High Court, noting the “conspicuous inertia” displayed by local authorities and law enforcement in addressing the crisis.

The matter is set to be reviewed again on April 6, when compliance reports are expected to be presented to the Supreme Court.

Previously, information from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal suggested that the CBI would investigate the case.

Reports indicate that the NIA team is anticipated to arrive in West Bengal on Friday to commence the investigation without delay.

On Wednesday, seven judicial officers, among whom were three women, were reportedly held hostage within a block office at Kaliachak by a group of voters whose names were removed during the judicial adjudication process due to “logical discrepancies.”

At approximately 1 a.m. Thursday, a substantial police presence, led by senior district officials, arrived at the scene, dispersed the demonstrators, rescued the judicial officers, and escorted them to safety after enduring around nine hours of being gheraoed.

There were also claims that an attempt was made to assault the rescue convoy while the officers were being moved to safety.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, along with BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, has asserted that the Kaliachak incident was orchestrated.

“This is not a spontaneous public uprising. This is a pre-planned event. There is an attempt underway to separate North Bengal from South Bengal. The demographics of the border regions are shifting,” he stated.

He further claimed that there exists a conspiracy to infiltrate India without warfare, with Murshidabad and Malda being identified as epicenters.

“Counterfeit currency is being circulated,” he alleged.

Additionally, Bhattacharya mentioned that Lashkar militants had been apprehended, who admitted to residing in West Bengal.

“During the COVID-19 period, militant factions have established networks in Cooch Behar, infiltrating various areas of West Bengal,” Bhattacharya concluded.