NIA Detains Two Congress Leaders Over Malda Violence
Synopsis
In a significant development, the NIA has arrested two Congress leaders in connection with the Malda violence, following the detention of an ISF leader. This incident has drawn attention to the ongoing political tensions in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
The NIA has arrested two Congress leaders in connection with the Malda violence.
Inconsistencies in statements led to their detention during questioning.
Prime Minister Modi has criticized the Trinamool Congress amidst this unrest.
The Supreme Court has mandated an NIA investigation into the incident.
The situation reflects ongoing political tensions in West Bengal.
Kolkata, April 13 (NationPress) - The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended three individuals linked to the Mothabari incident in Malda. Following the arrest of an ISF leader, the agency has now taken two Congress leaders into custody, according to a Monday statement from an NIA official.
The two detained individuals have been named as Shahdat Hossain and Asif Sheikh.
NIA officials reported that the two Congress members were called in for questioning on Sunday, where discrepancies in their accounts led to their arrest. Previously, a person named Golam Rabbani was also arrested. Additionally, the Congress candidate for the Mothabari Assembly seat, Sayem Chowdhury, faced extensive questioning by NIA officials but was ultimately released.
The National Investigation Agency has lodged 12 FIRs at the CBI Special Court in Kolkata under Supreme Court directives regarding the detention of judges involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Mothabari, Malda district.
According to NIA sources, the cases have been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which include charges such as attempted murder, wrongful detention, unlawful assembly, assault on government officials during the dispersal of an unlawful assembly, hindrance to government officials, defiance of official orders, vandalism of public property, criminal intimidation, and illegal obstruction of a national highway.
In response to grievances over names missing from the West Bengal voter list, areas like Mothabari, Sujapur, and Kaliachak have experienced unrest. On April 3, an agitated crowd held seven judges working on the SIR exercise inside the Kaliachak-II block office until nightfall, prompting the matter to escalate to the Supreme Court.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the actions of the state police, the Supreme Court mandated that the investigation be taken over by the CBI or NIA. Consequently, the Election Commission directed the NIA to conduct the probe.
During his campaign in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commented on this situation, criticizing the Trinamool Congress for fostering a climate of fear in the region. He accused them of misleading the populace regarding the SIR exercise, asserting that there is no place for infiltrators in West Bengal.
Point of View
The arrests made by the NIA highlight a troubling trend of political unrest in West Bengal. The involvement of major political figures in this incident reflects broader issues of governance and accountability that warrant serious attention.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the NIA arrests in Malda?
The NIA arrested two Congress leaders after discrepancies emerged during their questioning related to the Mothabari incident, which involved unrest over voter list omissions.
Who are the arrested Congress leaders?
The arrested individuals are Shahdat Hossain and Asif Sheikh.
What charges are the NIA investigating?
The NIA is investigating charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including attempted murder and unlawful assembly.
How did the Supreme Court get involved?
The Supreme Court intervened due to dissatisfaction with the state police's handling of the situation, directing that the investigation be conducted by the NIA or CBI.
What was Prime Minister Modi's stance on the incident?
Prime Minister Modi criticized the Trinamool Congress for creating a climate of fear and misleading the public regarding the SIR exercise.
