After SC hearing on Malda case, high-level review meeting held with top officials across Bengal

Following the Supreme Court hearing on the Malda incident involving the Election Commission, a high-level review meeting was convened through video conference with key administrative and police officials across West Bengal. The meeting included the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), all District Magistrates (DMs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), and senior officers including ADG (Law & Order), indicating an urgent statewide administrative response.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s strong observations over the Malda incident, where judicial officers were allegedly held hostage for hours during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The court had criticised the state administration, terming the episode a “complete failure,” and directed that the matter be investigated by central agencies such as the CBI or NIA, while also seeking a compliance report.

During the video conference, focus remained on reviewing law and order preparedness, ensuring protection of officials engaged in election-related duties, and implementing the directives issued by the court. The coordination among civil and police administration at the district level was emphasised, with instructions aimed at preventing any recurrence of such incidents and maintaining strict security protocols during the ongoing electoral process.