Supreme Court "Happy To See 92% Voting" In West Bengal Elections; Appreciates Absence Of Violence

The Supreme Court today applauded the record percentage of voting in the first phase of West Bengal assembly elections. A CJI Surya Kant led bench was hearing the petitions pertaining to the West Bengal SIR which was informed that the state witnessed 92% voting.

"As a citizen of India, I was very happy to see the voting percentage...when people exercise their right to vote, it strengthens the democracy..," the CJI said.

Adding to this, Justice Joymalya Bagchi added, "There have been no incidents of violence also".

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, present before the bench said, "92 per cent voting is historical. It was a peaceful election leaving apart a few incidents."

Court also has granted the NIA time to file it report on its investigation into incidents where judicial officers on SIR duty being gheraoed in Malda. "Give us time for chargesheet, we are neck deep in investigation", ASG SV Raju told the bench today.

Notably, Court had questioned the political background of those who took part in the incidents of attack on judicial officers on SIR duty. CJI had observed, "In the next phase, we would like to know is there any political background of these persons specified. This is not an academic exercise. Will take it to logical conclusion."

Earlier, Supreme Court had come down heavily on the Chief Secretary of West Bengal over his lackadaisical approach in dealing with the incidents of judicial officers on SIR duty being gheraoed in Malda. "Mr. Chief Secretary what is the problem..you don't even take the call of the Chief Justice..", a miffed CJI Surya Kant had asked the Chief Secretary who appeared before his bench virtually.

On April 2, after serious incidents occurred in Malda where judicial officers were allegedly attacked and held hostage during electoral roll revision work, the Chief Justice of India had called West Bengal a highly polarized state. "Unfortunately in West Bengal each one speaks political language and this is the most polarized state. You are forcing us to make observations. Do you think we are not aware of who the miscreants are..", CJI Surya Kant noted today while issuing directions after the incidents of violence occurred in West Bengal.

The Supreme Court had expressed concern over the safety of officials and the rising political tensions in the state, indicating that such incidents could undermine the rule of law. Slamming the state government over their non-responsive attitude, the CJI had said, "I don't want to politicize it. But we got reports since 2 am. At 5 pm they gheraoed the officers and till 11 pm there was no one".

Supreme Court has said the incident is a brazen attempt not only to browbeat judicial officers but also challenges authority of this court. It said this was not a routine incident but appeared to be calculated, motivated move to demoralize the judicial officers and stop the ongoing process. "We will not allow anyone to interfere and take law in their hands in order to create psychological attack on mind of judicial officers. This is also an abdication of duty by West Bengal government and the officers need to furnish reasons why even after being informed they did not ensure safe evacuation of the judicial officers", the court recorded.

Case Title: 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 Vs

Bench: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Pancholi

Hearing Date: April 24, 2026