Published on: April 07, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: New Delhi, India
In a powerful display of judicial authority and concern for institutional dignity, the Supreme Court of India on Monday delivered a strong message to senior West Bengal officials, asking them not to place themselves so high that even the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court finds it difficult to reach them.
The remarks came during a hearing on the alarming gherao of seven judicial officers in Malda district on April 1. The officers, who were performing quasi-judicial duties related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, were surrounded by a mob for nearly nine hours. They were reportedly denied food and water and held until late at night, forcing the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice to personally intervene.
Taking serious note of the incident and the apparent inaction of the state administration, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi turned its attention to the conduct of West Bengal Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala and the Director General of Police. The court expressed strong displeasure over the fact that repeated calls from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court — including group calls — went unanswered during the crisis.
When the Chief Secretary explained that he was travelling and that his official number was highly secured, Justice Joymalya Bagchi responded with a sharp and memorable remark that captured the courtroom’s attention. “You cannot place yourself so high that even the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court has no access to you,” Justice Bagchi observed. “Please lower yourself a bit so that ordinary minions like the Chief Justice of the High Court can connect with you.”
The satirical tone of the observation underscored a deeper point: officer, no matter how senior, should create barriers that prevent timely communication with the judiciary, especially in matters involving the safety and dignity of judicial officers. The Supreme Court directed both the Chief Secretary and the DGP to tender a written apology to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court for the lapse.
It described the entire episode as a “pre-planned and motivated” attempt to intimidate officers performing electoral duties and a clear failure of the civil and police administration. In a significant order, the apex court transferred the investigation of the Malda case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), citing lack of confidence in the local police probe.
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It also asked the state to ensure the safety of judicial officers involved in the ongoing SIR process. The bench emphasised that the judiciary had to step in only because of the “sheer failure” of the administration to protect its own officers. Chief Justice Surya Kant personally monitored the situation late into the night until the officers were safely evacuated.
This hearing has once again highlighted the importance of mutual respect between the executive and the judiciary. The Supreme Court’s firm yet dignified intervention sends a clear signal: attempts to browbeat judicial officers or ignore the calls of the higher judiciary will not be tolerated in a constitutional democracy.
As West Bengal prepares for elections, the smooth and fearless conduct of electoral exercises remains a national priority. The outcome of the NIA investigation is now eagerly awaited by all concerned.