Mamata accuses the BJP and the Commission of having “outsiders detained seven judges”; the Home Secretary and Chief Secretary have assured the High Court that the judges are safe.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a public meeting in Raiganj. Photo: Collected.

Fearing defeat, Mamata held the Election Commission and the BJP responsible for the incident involving the detention of judicial officers in Mothabari, Malda. In her speeches at every rally—whether in Harirampur (South Dinajpur), Raiganj (North Dinajpur), or Malda—a distinct tone of self-justification regarding the Mothabari incident was evident. Following this incident, the Registrar of the High Court held a meeting with the State Chief Secretary, Dushyant Nariala, and the Home Secretary, Sanghamitra Ghosh; they provided assurances regarding the full security of the judicial officers.

Mamata accuses

Mamata Banerjee lashes out over the Malda incident. Graphic: Anandabazar.com.

Mamata Banerjee is alleged to be the mastermind behind the protest in Mothabari, Malda—during which seven judges were held captive—having invoked the “outsider theory” in an attempt to offer a justification amidst fears of an electoral defeat. While speaking in Malda, Mamata took a veiled dig at Asaduddin Owaisi’s party, AIMIM, without explicitly naming it. Mamata leveled a clear accusation: “The BJP’s cuckoo has arrived from Hyderabad, accompanied by certain communal elements. It is they who are orchestrating all of this in Malda.” The Trinamool supremo credited the state’s intelligence agency, the CID, with the success of the investigation into the Malda incident. She asserted that it was the CID that apprehended the perpetrator behind the incident in Malda, arresting him in Bagdogra. Notably, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also initiated an investigation into this incident.

“The BJP has brought in the MIM on loan; the ISF is with them as well,” Mamata claimed at a public rally in response to the judges’ detention episode, which she linked to a fear of losing the election. At the BJP’s request, the Congress is also taking action. To assure a BJP victory in Bihar, they used money to divide the vote.

Mamata greatly escalated her criticism of the judge detention situation during a protest in Malda. “A single incident in Malda has tarnished the honor of Bengal,” she declared. The locals may have complaints, but they are not to responsible for this. Along with certain communal elements, a “cuckoo” dispatched by the BJP has arrived from Hyderabad. All of this in Malda is being planned by them. They were captured by the CID at the airport, and we nabbed them red-handed. The judges were detained by whom? outsiders.

The State Chief Secretary and Home Secretary provide assurances of security.

The Registrar of the High Court met with State Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala and Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh after the incident in Mothabari, Malda, when judges were arrested amid demonstrations. The meeting was held between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m.

Since the blockade, protests, and the event involving the detention of judicial personnel in Kaliachak, Malda, concerns have been raised about the security of the state. Concern over the issue has also been voiced by the Supreme Court. Will central forces now be sent in to guarantee the safety of the judges tasked with deciding the voter data currently on the “under consideration” list? During a meeting on Friday at the Calcutta High Court, this same question was brought up. The State Government reportedly told the conference that all judicial personnel will have sufficient security.

The State Chief Secretary, Dushyant Narivala, and the Home Secretary, Sanghamitra Ghosh, met with the High Court Registrar on Friday. Whether judges would receive security protection from central forces was the main item on the meeting’s agenda. High Court sources claim that talks centered on strengthening security for all judges who are tasked with making decisions about voter data that are now on the list that is being examined. During Friday’s discussion, it was also discussed if central forces were required for security reasons. The state administration promised to provide all judges with sufficient security.

The Calcutta High Court has established tribunals in response to a Supreme Court order. The state’s 23 districts are covered by 19 tribunals, which are made up of 19 retired judges. These tribunals may hear appeals from voters who were left off the rolls. Although the tribunals’ operations have not yet started, work is anticipated to start virtually on Saturday. The security of the retired judges tasked with overseeing these tribunals is also being questioned in the aftermath of the Malda event. Sources claim that this issue was covered at a meeting on Friday.