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Anarchy Is Not Permitted: “Anarchy cannot be allowed,” the Supreme Court cautioned Tuesday as it requested answers from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Center regarding a petition calling for the use of Central forces (CAPF) to safeguard electoral officials working on West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.

A bench consisting of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi issued the notice in response to a petition submitted by Sanatan SIR preparationi Sangsad, which requested CAPF security for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in  and noted West Bengal’s history of poll-related violence.

CJI Surya Kant asked the ECI, “Instead of you coming to us, someone else is coming,” after hearing the petitioner’s arguments on cases in which state residents mobbed polling offices. We can’t imagine this is a one-off occurrence; if BLOs don’t get security, this will turn into a major problem.”

However, Justice Joymala Bagchi said that the court would have to determine if there was a legitimate security issue or whether the petitioner’s statement was politically motivated.

Speaking on behalf of the petitioner, Senior Advocate VV Giri mentioned many instances of election violence that occurred in West Bengal in 2022–2023. He said that booth-level police require some temporary protection, citing a recent FIR.

Nonetheless, Justice Joymala Bagchi believed that there was just one FIR on file. “Rest everything is historical reference!”

The ECI told the Court that it was unable to handle such matters without assigning local police to West Bengal. Additionally, the Commission said that the district electoral officer and electoral officer office had lately been “gheraoed.”

The Chief Justice reaffirmed, “We cannot allow law to be taken into someone’s hands!” at this moment.

In contrast to petitioner Sanatani Sangsad’s pleas, Justice Bagchi said, “Please ask the state of West Bengal for additional forces.” You may come here if it isn’t supplied. This is the only FIR insurance offered, and it can be said that it is exclusive to West Bengal.

Justice Bagchi went on to say that while the Court understood worries about the safety of BLOs, it needed to decide whether the problem was genuine or just a storyline. “Are you suggesting that the law and order is such that you want police under ECI because there is just one FIR? Then, this must occur for every state. Before we ask ECI for a response, you must clear the prima facie view standard,” Justice Bagchi said.

CJI Surya Kant, however, underlined that anarchy could not be allowed and said that the ECI must take firm action against violence directed against BLOs.