The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested 15 individuals on Monday in a special operation across Malda district, West Bengal, in connection with last month's road blockades and the alleged illegal detention of judicial officers conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls ahead of the state's Assembly elections. The arrests mark a significant escalation in the federal probe into what authorities describe as a coordinated attack on officials performing constitutional duties.

Key Arrests and Charges

In the first of two linked cases, 12 individuals — including primary accused Joshim Sk and Asmaul Sk — were arrested for allegedly detaining a woman judicial officer for nearly eight hours on the road between Haibatola and Amlitola. In a separate case, three accused — Alamgir Sk, Nurul Islam, and Habibur Rahman — were taken into custody for their alleged role in blocking the Bagmara Bridge in the Mothabari block area.

According to officials, investigations are ongoing to identify and trace additional persons allegedly involved. The NIA is also examining the possibility of a larger conspiracy behind the coordinated blockades and detention of judicial officers.

Background: The April 1 Incident

The case stems from violence that erupted on 1 April at the Mothabari Block Office in Malda during protests linked to the electoral roll revision exercise. Judicial officers engaged in the SIR process allegedly came under attack while discharging official duties. Police rescued the officers from the protest site, but authorities stated that the convoy escorting them was attacked again as it attempted to leave the area.

Reports indicated that seven judicial officers were surrounded by a mob of nearly 200 to 300 protesters near the Kaliachak II block office, allegedly confining them inside the premises for more than nine hours. The officers reportedly went without food or water and allegedly faced verbal abuse and threats before being rescued by security personnel around midnight. Among those reportedly confined were three women officers and an officer accompanied by a five-year-old child. West Bengal Police subsequently described the violence as a pre-planned attack rather than a spontaneous protest.

Earlier Detentions and Accused

Before Monday's operation, nearly 50 people had already been taken into custody in connection with the incidents. Those arrested earlier included advocate Mofakkerul Islam, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Kaliachak Block President Mohammad Sariul Sheikh, Indian Secular Front (ISF) Gram Panchayat member Golam Rabbani, and ISF candidate Shahjahan Ali Kadri. Police had earlier identified advocate Mofakkerul Islam and ISF leader Maulana Shahjahan Ali among the alleged key conspirators.

How the NIA Got Involved

The NIA took over the investigation following directions from the Election Commission of India (ECI) after the Supreme Court reportedly took suo motu cognisance of the incidents. The agency's intervention signals the Centre's view that the matter extends beyond routine law and order into the integrity of the electoral process itself.

Political Fallout

TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to manufacture unrest in the state and allegedly plotting to have the West Bengal Assembly elections cancelled in order to impose President's Rule. The BJP has denied the allegations. With the NIA now probing a possible larger conspiracy, the political temperature in West Bengal is expected to remain elevated in the weeks ahead.