EC orders NIA probe into Maldah gherao of judicial officers after Supreme Court directive

NEW DELHI: The election commission on Thursday evening directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe the gherao of seven judicial officers assigned to hear appeals against deletions from West Bengal final rolls, by certain “anti-social elements” in Maldah district of the state.This came hours after the Supreme Court instructed EC to entrust the inquiry/ investigation into the incident to an independent agency, such as the Central Bureau of Investigation or the National Investigation Agency, “during the course of the day”. EC has asked NIA to submit preliminary inquiry report directly to this court, as directed by the court.The Supreme Court had on Thursday also come down heavily on the “complete failure of the civil and police administration in West Bengal” in preventing and responding to hostage-taking of the seven judicial officers, describing it as “calculated” attempt to browbeat the judiciary and challenge the authority of the apex court .It directed the state chief secretary, DGP and the district magistrate and superintendent of police of Maldah to show cause as to why suitable action should not be taken against them in light of the facts shared by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta high court.