Attack on judicial officers 'black spot' in country's history, 'TMC goons' acted at CM's behest: BJP

The BJP on Thursday termed the gherao and attack on seven judicial officers in West Bengal's Malda district a "black spot" in the country's history, alleging "TMC goons" acted at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's behest to obstruct the SIR exercise and protect Rohingyas.

The remarks came as the Supreme Court came down heavily on the West Bengal administration over its alleged inaction, describing the incident as "deplorable" and indicative of "complete failure" of governance.

BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia asked if Banerjee was "ashamed" of the top court's observations and would resign as the chief minister of the poll-bound state.

Seven judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls were gheraoed for several hours in West Bengal's Malda district over the deletion of names from the electoral rolls.

Security forces used batons to disperse the crowd and rescued the judicial officers, including three women, late Wednesday.

"This is Mamata Banerjee's 'jungle raj'. The TMC workers took judicial officers hostage at the behest of Mamata Banerjee. Such an incident never happened in the history of Bharat. It's unfortunate and a black spot," Bhatia said during a press conference at the party headquarters.

The seven judicial officers were doing their work, complying with the Supreme Court's directive, he said.

"It is sad that Mamata Banerjee, who has taken the oath of the Constitution, is taking judicial officers hostage in a blatant defiance of the Supreme Court orders. The intention is to scare the judicial officers as Mamata Banerjee wants to obstruct the SIR process," he added.

Bhatia alleged that Banerjee deployed her party workers to take the judicial officers "hostage" to protect the Rohingyas.

"Mamata Banerjee, who is supposed to protect the people of West Bengal and their rights, is standing by the Rohingyas. She loves Rohingyas," he charged.

"Every Indian is watching the 'jungle raj' in West Bengal under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and is concerned. People of West Bengal have made up their mind to oust TMC from power," the BJP leader added.

The Supreme Court, in a scathing observation, said the incident "exposes the complete failure of the state administration" and observed that West Bengal is the "most polarised state". It directed that an independent probe be conducted by either the CBI or the NIA.

The court also asked the Election Commission to “requisition adequate Central Forces and deploy them at all places where judicial officers are adjudicating the objections” in the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls.

Referring to the top court's observations, Bhatia said they "hold up a mirror" to the state.

"Are you ashamed, will you resign?" the BJP spokesperson asked Banerjee as he read out some of the observations made by the apex court. "If you are not capable of maintaining law and order in the state and upholding the Constitution, it will be good if you resign (as chief minister)," he said.

Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.