SC issues notice to Centre & ECI on central forces deployment to protect BLOs in Bengal

In a sharp warning against rising poll violence, the Supreme Court today issues notice and sought urgent replies from the Centre and Election Commission after a petition demanded armed forces to shield BLOs involved in SIR voter list drive in West Bengal. The case, filed by Sanatani Sangsad, spotlighted recent threats to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, including an FIR over assaults and crowds surrounding electoral offices. Chief Justice Surya Kant, leading the bench with Justice Joymala Bagchi stressing that no one can take the law into their hands.

The court grilled the ECI on why it wasn't stepping up, calling potential attacks on BLOs a "serious issue" that demands immediate action, not just isolated fixes. The judges dug into the claims, with Justice Bagchi pushing back on the petitioner's reliance on "historical references" like past Bengal poll clashes from 2022-23. He noted just one FIR so far and questioned if this alone justified central forces, asking, "Are you saying based on this the law and order is such?" The ECI admitted it relies on state police for security and flagged a recent "gherao" at a district officer's office. Senior advocate V V Giri, for the petitioners, argued for interim protection to prevent more trouble, but Justice Bagchi however took a different view to the prayers by petitioner Sanatani Sangsad and said, "Please request the state of West Bengal for more forces. If not provided you can come here... one solitary insurance of FIR given here and can it be stated that it is unique to West Bengal only."

CJI Surya Kant maintained that anarchy could not be permitted and said the ECI must act strictly against violence targeting BLOs. This hearing comes amid West Bengal's tense SIR process, meant to clean up voter rolls but sparking fears of deletions and unrest. The Supreme Court's notice puts pressure on all sides to ensure fair elections, echoing broader worries about violence tainting democracy. With no fixed reply date, the matter hangs in balance, but the top court's firm tone signals zero tolerance for disruptions that could undermine the voters base.