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‘Pre-planned or spontaneous’: NIA probes conspiracy angle in judicial officers’ gherao in Bengal’s Malda

Statesman News Service

AIMIM leader Mofakkerul Islam arrested in Malda violence case


The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has begun a detailed probe into the gherao of judicial officers in West Bengal’s Malda district, with investigators examining whether the incident was a spontaneous outburst or a pre-planned operation.

According to sources, the agency’s preliminary report, likely to be submitted to the Supreme Court next week, will assess whether public anger over voter name deletions triggered the protest or if the situation was deliberately orchestrated to disrupt the judicial adjudication process.

NIA team visits SP, BDO offices in Kaliachak

As part of the investigation, an NIA team on Saturday visited the office of the Malda Superintendent of Police and later inspected the Block Development Officer (BDO) office in Kaliachak, where the incident took place on April 1.

Officials said the team is collecting evidence and documenting the sequence of events linked to the gherao of seven judicial officers. The agency had reached Kaliachak on Friday to begin its inquiry.

Focus on accused and alleged masterminds

Investigators are also gathering background details of the 35 people arrested so far. The probe is likely to examine the role of key accused, including Mofakkarul Islam and Maulana Shahjahan Ali, a candidate of the All-India Secular Front (AISF) from the Mothabari constituency in the West Bengal assembly polls scheduled later this month.

The main investigation team comprises around 15 officers led by a Superintendent of Police-rank official, with support from Kolkata-based personnel familiar with the local language and terrain.

The investigation follows directions from the Supreme Court, which asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to transfer the case either to the NIA or the Central Bureau of Investigation. The ECI subsequently handed over the probe to the NIA.

What happened on April 1

Seven judicial officers, including three women, were held hostage inside a block office in Kaliachak by a group of villagers. The protest was linked to the deletion of voter names during the judicial adjudication process under the “logical discrepancy” category.

The officers were gheraoed for nearly nine hours before a large police team intervened at around 1 am on Thursday, dispersing the crowd and rescuing them. There were also reports of an attempted attack on the convoy while the officers were being moved to safety.

According to police, 35 people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Senior officials said strict action will be taken against those involved, and security has been enhanced for judicial officers with the deployment of central forces. “We detained Mofakkarul Islam from Bagdogra airport for instigating people. He was going to his residence in Ithar. We will not allow any such kind of activity. Will probe if this was pre-planned or not. After this incident, we have given CAPF to judicial officers. So far, 35 people have been arrested,” ADG North Bengal K Jayaraman said.

Political war of words intensifies

The incident has triggered a sharp political confrontation in the state ahead of the Assembly elections.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to incite unrest and alleged a larger conspiracy to disrupt the polls and impose President’s rule. “You (BJP) have tried to provoke people in many ways. The plan is to cancel the elections. If that happens, nobody will have the right to vote. They will capture Bengal forcefully. ECI has snatched away my powers and has imposed a ‘super President’s Rule’ with the help of the Home Minister and the Governor,” CM Banerjee said.

Mamata also criticised the ongoing arrests, claiming that local youths were being targeted in the name of investigation. The Chief Minister today said, “The communal party is here. They surrounded the judges, ran away, and are harassing the youths. In the name of NIA, they are arresting 40-50 local boys and girls. There will be no protest. No deposition will be allowed in front of the Election Commission…The constitutional right is your voting right…”

The BJP has rejected the allegations, as political tensions continue to rise in the run-up to voting. West Bengal is set to vote in a two-phase Assembly election on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.

 

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