Supreme Court Pulls Up West Bengal Over Harassment of Judges, Orders NIA Probe

April 7, 2026 : The Supreme Court of India has sharply criticised the West Bengal administration after seven judicial officers engaged in voter list revision work in Mothabari, Kaliachak, were allegedly surrounded and harassed.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant expressed serious concern over the incident, warning that if the state fails to maintain law and order in such situations, the Court will be compelled to take further action on its own. The bench also questioned the apparent inaction of authorities despite repeated distress calls made by the judicial officers during the episode.

Taking a stern view, the Court directed the state police to transfer all case records to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for an independent probe. The Chief Secretary of the state tendered an apology before the Court, but the bench emphasised that administrative accountability cannot be compromised, particularly where the safety of judicial officers is concerned.

Additional Solicitor General A.V. Raju informed the Court that twelve FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident. Of these, three relate to the alleged wrongful confinement of judicial officers, while nine pertain to the blockade of the area. The NIA has been tasked with investigating all cases.

Authorities have so far made 24 arrests, including five key accused, while 309 individuals have been identified as suspects. CCTV footage is currently under scrutiny to reconstruct the sequence of events.

The Court further directed that the two alleged masterminds already in custody be handed over immediately to the NIA. It has also set a deadline for submission of a preliminary report by April 13, with a final report to be filed before the designated NIA Court in Kolkata.