New Delhi / Kolkata: In a major development following the violent blockade of seven judicial officers in Maldah district, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated a preliminary enquiry after the Election Commission of India formally referred the case to the central agency.
The move came hours after the Supreme Court of India directed the Election Commission to entrust the probe to an independent central agency such as the NIA or Central Bureau of Investigation.
The case concerns the alleged eight-hour confinement of seven judicial officers by a large crowd at the Kaliachak-II Block Development Office in Malda.
Alleged Mastermind Moffakkerul Islam Arrested While Attempting to Flee
In a fresh breakthrough, Moffakkerul Islam, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the violence, was arrested by West Bengal Police on Friday.
A lawyer by profession and resident of Itahar, Islam was allegedly seen outside the Block Development Office making speeches and urging protesters not to leave the site during the blockade.
Police said he was intercepted and detained at Bagdogra Airport while allegedly attempting to flee the state.
Islam had also contested the 2021 Assembly elections as a candidate of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.
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How the Incident Unfolded in Kaliachak
According to officials, thousands of protesters on Wednesday blocked both gates of the Kaliachak-2 Block Development Office, preventing movement of officials and effectively trapping seven judicial officers inside the premises for several hours.
The judicial officers had been assigned to hear appeals related to deletions from West Bengal’s final electoral rolls.
Among the seven officers trapped were three women judicial officers.
Officials said the blockade continued late into the night, with slogans raised by protesters who refused to disperse.
The officers and staff were eventually rescued after midnight through intervention by law enforcement agencies.
Supreme Court Calls Incident ‘Calculated Attempt’ to Intimidate Judiciary
The Supreme Court took serious note of the incident and strongly criticised what it described as a “complete failure of the civil and police administration in West Bengal.”
The apex court observed that the attack appeared to be a “deliberate and calculated attempt” to demoralise judicial officers and obstruct them from performing official duties.
The court also stated that such conduct amounted to an attempt to challenge the authority of the judiciary and could not be tolerated.
EC Directs NIA to Probe the Matter
Following the court’s order, the Election Commission wrote to the Director General of the NIA directing immediate action.
The NIA subsequently registered a preliminary enquiry late Thursday.
The Election Commission has also asked the NIA to submit its preliminary report directly to the Supreme Court, in line with judicial directions.
NIA Team Moving to Malda
Sources indicated that an NIA team had already left from its Kolkata office and was expected to reach Malda shortly.
Officials familiar with the process said the team would first visit the jurisdictional police station to collect:
- FIR details
- arrest records
- video footage
- statements collected so far
- local intelligence inputs
The agency is expected to assess whether there was a wider organised conspiracy behind the mobilisation.
Dedicated Senior-Level Investigation Team Formed
According to sources, the enquiry will be conducted by a specialised NIA team led by:
- a Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-rank officer
- under supervision of an Inspector General-rank officer
The preliminary enquiry will determine whether grounds exist for registration of a formal NIA case.
20 Arrested So Far in Violence Case
Local police and state investigative agencies have already made multiple arrests in connection with the violence.
Among Those Arrested Are
- • Maulana Shahjahan Ali, identified as an Indian Secular Front candidate
- • Mofakkarul Islam, described by investigators as an alleged mastermind
Mofakkarul Islam was arrested by the West Bengal CID at Bagdogra Airport while allegedly attempting to flee.
A total of 20 accused have now been arrested, while 19 were produced before court and remanded to 10-day police custody.
Charges Include Violence, Arson and Hostage-Like Confinement
The accused face charges related to:
- violence
- arson
- unlawful assembly
- wrongful confinement of public servants
- obstruction of judicial functioning
Investigators are also examining digital evidence and crowd mobilisation patterns.
Central Forces Sought for Protection of Judicial Officers
The Supreme Court has also directed the Election Commission to seek deployment of central forces for protection of:
- the seven judicial officers
- their families
- other officers involved in electoral work in the state
This comes amid concerns over safety of officials handling election-related duties.
Top West Bengal Officials Asked to Explain Administrative Failure
The Supreme Court has issued show-cause notices to senior West Bengal officials, asking why action should not be initiated against them.
Officials Asked to Respond Include
- State Chief Secretary
- Director General of Police
- District Magistrate of Malda
- Superintendent of Police, Malda
The direction followed observations shared by the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court.
Security Tightened in Kaliachak
Additional police forces have now been deployed in and around the Kaliachak area.
Authorities said:
- video footage is being reviewed
- eyewitness accounts are being recorded
- further arrests remain possible
Officials said security will remain tightened to prevent recurrence.
Political Reactions Intensify
Political reactions have intensified following the incident.
Opposition parties have criticised the state government over law-and-order concerns, while ruling side representatives have called for restraint and full investigation.
Given Malda’s electoral sensitivity, the incident is expected to remain under close judicial and political scrutiny.
