Judges' Gherao During SIR | Supreme Court Censures West Bengal Chief Secretary, DGP; Drops Further Action

The Supreme Court on Monday dropped action against West Bengal officials over the violence in Malda last week, when seven judicial officers were held hostage during SIR duties.A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi had last week, taking suo motu case over the judges' gherao, directed the personal appearance of the Chief Secretary, the DGP, Home Secretary, Malda Collector and SSP, to explain their inaction.These officers were present online today.During the hearing, the Chief Justice of India questioned the Chief Secretary over the lack of responsiveness. "What is the problem? You don't even entertain the call of the Chief Justice?" CJI asked.In response, the Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala, who was posted by the ECI on March 16, submitted that no call had been made from officers of Calcutta to his phone. He stated that he had travelled to Delhi for a meeting and that he was on a flight between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the relevant time.Justice Joymalya Bagchi, who was part of the Bench, observed that calls were probably made during the evening after he had deboarded the flight and remarked that the situation could have been avoided if the Chief Secretary had shared a mobile number and other particulars.The Chief Secretary replied that the number he used was more secure and had better connectivity.Justice Bagchi responded sharply, questioning whether the security was so high that even the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court could not access him. "Security so high that even the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court cannot access? So please lower yourself a bit so ordinary minions like the Chief Justice of High Court can access you," Justice Bagchi said.Following the exchange, the Chief Secretary expressed regret, stating that he was extremely apologetic.Justice Bagchi then asked him to issue an apology to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.The Chief Justice of India also expressed strong disapproval of the administrative response, observing that there had been a sheer failure on the part of both the Chief Secretary and the administration. He remarked that because of the lack of action, the Election Commission of India had been kept "in the dust."The Chief Justice further stated that the administration had failed to communicate with the Election Commission of India, which was entrusted with giving directions in emergency situations, and that this missing link had created significant difficulty and disturbance in the State. He questioned what kind of credibility such conduct reflected.Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the officers, attempted to explain that the Chief Secretary had been in a meeting with the Election Commission of India. However, the Chief Justice interjected, stating, "Please do not defend him," and added that the Court was facing this very strong obstinate character of bureaucracy in other States as well.In its order, the Court recorded that the Chief Secretary and other officers were present online and expressed hope that they had now understood the sense of responsibility expected of them in responding promptly and providing assistance to the Chief Justice of the High Court when judicial officers were taken hostage. The Bench clarified that it did not propose to take any further action against the officers."The Chief Secretary and other officers are present online. We hope that the officers have now well understood the sense of responsibility in which they were expected to respond and provide assistance to the Chief Justice of the High Court when judicial officers were made hostages. We do not propose to take any further action against them," the order read.Also from the hearing - 'Serious Allegations Against State Police' : Supreme Court Directs NIA To Investigate Judges' Gherao During West Bengal SIRCase : In Re : Safety and Security of Judicial Officers deputed for work relating to SIR of Electoral Rolls in the State of West Bengal and Ancillary Issues | SMW(c) 3/2026Click Here To Read/Download Order

Judges' Gherao During SIR | Supreme Court Censures West Bengal Chief Secretary, DGP; Drops Further Action

Amisha Shrivastava

The Court dropped further action against the State officials, hoping that they had realised their sense of responsibility.

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