India, April 2 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday deprecated the "complete failure of civil and police administration" in West Bengal, taking suo motu cognisance of the hostage-taking of seven judicial officers in Malda district and describing it as a "deplorable" and "calculated, well-planned" attempt to browbeat the judiciary and challenge the authority of the apex court.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi moved swiftly to secure the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, directing the Election Commission of India (ECI) to immediately requisition and deploy central forces at all places where judicial officers are adjudicating voter objections. The c...