A separate bench of the apex court had in February, this year issued notice to the West Bengal government on a plea by the CBI to transfer multiple cases lodged following a series of violence after Assembly polls in 2021 outside the state owing to alleged "open threats and intimidation of not only to witnesses but to counsel as well".

Supreme Court criticizes CBI for "scandalous allegations" against West Bengal judiciary in post-poll violence cases transfer plea

"How can you cast aspersions on entire judiciary.You are showing as if there is a hostile environment in whole West Bengal," the top court said.

How can you cast aspersions on entire judiciary.You are showing as if there is a hostile environment in whole West Bengal, says top court.

The bench of justices Abhay Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal observed that the agency cannot cast aspersions on the entire judiciary in West Bengal.

The top court recorded in its order, "Scandalous allegations have been made against all the courts in general in West Bengal. It has been repeatedly averred that there is a hostile environment prevailing in the courts.

The Supreme Court ordered the CBI to withdraw its petition to transfer post-poll violence cases from West Bengal, strongly disapproving claims of a hostile environment in the state's courts

The CBI had filed the petition in December 2023 seeking directions to transfer the cases outside of West Bengal due to alleged concerns of witness intimidation.

The Supreme Court criticized the CBI for seeking to transfer post-poll violence cases from West Bengal, stating that the agency cannot imply the entire judiciary in the state is biased. The CBI clarified it was a case of poor drafting and not an intentional accusation.

The Supreme Court on Friday rebuked the Central Bureau of Investigation over the wording of a plea asking that cases related to violence after the 2021 Bengal election be heard outside the state.