Ranchi, April 3 -- BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo on Friday strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the recent Malda incident, where judicial officers were held hostage for nine hours allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters.

Speaking to ANI, Shahdeo said, "In Malda, judicial officers were confined for nine hours by Trinamool Congress supporters under the directions of Mamata Banerjee. During this time, the officers were denied basic facilities such as food, milk, and access to toilets. The Chief Justice intervened personally, staying awake till 2 a.m. and making multiple calls, while senior judges from other states monitored the situation."

He further drew a comparison to earlier authoritarian practices, ...