NIA detains seven, arrests ISF member in Malda judicial officers’ gherao case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its probe into the April 1 gherao of judicial officers in West Bengal’s Malda, detaining seven individuals including a Congress candidate and arresting a local panchayat member affiliated with the Indian Secular Front (ISF), officials said on Sunday.

According to officials, Sayem Chowdhury , the Congress candidate from Mothabari , was detained along with several associates while campaigning in the Alinagar panchayat area . His detention is part of a broader investigation into the incident, in which judicial officers were allegedly surrounded and obstructed by a group of locals.

The protest was reportedly triggered by the deletion of names during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls, sparking tensions in parts of the district. The situation escalated on April 1 when demonstrators laid siege to judicial officials , raising concerns over law and order and the functioning of democratic institutions .

The probe was handed over to the NIA by the Election Commission of India following directions from the Supreme Court of India, which had censured the West Bengal administration over the incident and sought accountability.

In a related development, the NIA arrested Golam Rabbani, a gram panchayat member linked to the ISF , based on leads obtained during the interrogation of Mofakkarul Islam. Islam, associated with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), had earlier been detained by the state police.

Officials said Rabbani is expected to be brought to Kolkata and produced before a court , with investigators believing his questioning could yield crucial information on the incident and possible local political links .

The NIA’s ongoing investigation aims to establish the sequence of events and determine accountability , even as the case draws political attention ahead of the state elections.