NIA arrests 15 more in Bengal judicial hostage case, total detentions hit 65
Synopsis
The NIA's overnight raids in Malda have pushed total arrests in the 1 April judicial hostage case to 65 — a number that underscores both the scale of the mob and the agency's methodical use of CCTV evidence. With the Supreme Court pressing for a swift wrap-up, the investigation is entering its final stretch, but questions about political accountability in the minority-dominated district remain unanswered.
Key Takeaways
The NIA arrested 15 more accused following overnight raids in Malda district on 26 May 2025 .
Total arrests in the 1 April Mothabari judicial hostage case now stand at 65 .
The accused were identified from CCTV footage and arrested from Mothabari and Kaliachak areas.
Seven judicial officers were held hostage at Kaliachak-2 block office during the SIR exercise.
The Supreme Court has directed the NIA to conclude the investigation at the earliest; security for the judicial officers remains in place.
The NIA filed its status report with the apex court on 11 May .
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested 15 more accused in connection with the 1 April incident in which seven judicial officers were held hostage during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process at Mothabari in Malda district, West Bengal. The latest arrests push the total number of detentions in the case to 65.
How the Arrests Were Made
The fresh arrests followed a large-scale overnight raid and search operation conducted by NIA personnel across multiple locations in Malda district, beginning Monday night and continuing into Tuesday morning. According to reports, the 15 accused were identified through CCTV footage recorded at Mothabari on the night of 1 April, when the judicial officers were attacked while carrying out the SIR exercise.
The accused were picked up from the Mothabari and Kaliachak areas of Malda and are set to be produced before a special NIA court in Kolkata on Tuesday.
What Happened on 1 April
On the night of 1 April, judicial officers stationed at Mothabari — appointed by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to process the SIR adjudication list — were surrounded by a group of violent protesters. The officers were held hostage at the Kaliachak-2 block office until late at night. Allegations of harassment were also levelled against the protesters.
It was alleged that a section of those whose names had been omitted from the SIR list instigated and led the protest. The incident occurred in a minority-dominated part of Malda district, a detail that has drawn political attention.
Institutional Response and Court Directives
The Election Commission of India (ECI) transferred the investigation to the NIA on the order of the Supreme Court. Prior to the NIA's takeover, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal state police had arrested Mofakkerul Islam, an advocate, whom the CID claimed in court was one of the masterminds behind the protest programme.
Once the NIA assumed charge, it systematically identified and arrested suspects. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court directed the NIA to conclude its investigation at the earliest. Chief Justice of India Surya Kanta also ordered that security arrangements for the judicial officers involved in the SIR exercise remain in place until further orders.
Latest Status Before the Supreme Court
The NIA submitted its investigation status report to the Supreme Court on 11 May. With the arrest count now at 65, the agency appears to be in the final stages of identifying all those captured on CCTV that night. The case remains a test of institutional accountability for violence against judicial personnel during an electoral process.
Point of View
In the context of an electoral roll revision exercise in a politically sensitive district, raises questions that go beyond law enforcement. The Supreme Court's direct supervision and its insistence on speed signal institutional discomfort with how the state machinery initially responded. Whether the investigation reaches those who allegedly directed the protest — beyond the foot soldiers now being netted — will be the real measure of accountability.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Malda judicial hostage case?
On 1 April 2025, seven judicial officers appointed by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) electoral exercise were surrounded and held hostage by violent protesters at the Kaliachak-2 block office in Mothabari, Malda. Allegations of harassment were also made against the protesters, who reportedly included individuals whose names had been dropped from the SIR list.
Why did the NIA take over the investigation?
The Election Commission of India transferred the case to the NIA on the direction of the Supreme Court, after concerns were raised about the state CID's handling of the investigation. The NIA has since systematically arrested suspects using CCTV footage from the night of the incident.
How many people have been arrested so far?
With the 15 fresh arrests on 26 May 2025, the total number of accused arrested in the case has reached 65. All 15 newly arrested persons are to be produced before a special NIA court in Kolkata.
What has the Supreme Court directed regarding this case?
The Supreme Court has directed the NIA to wind up its investigation at the earliest. Chief Justice of India Surya Kanta has also ordered that security arrangements for the judicial officers involved in the SIR exercise remain in place until further orders. The NIA submitted its status report to the court on 11 May.
Who was arrested before the NIA took over?
Before the NIA assumed charge, the West Bengal CID arrested Mofakkerul Islam, an advocate, whom it claimed in court was one of the masterminds behind the protest. The NIA subsequently took over and has been making arrests independently.
