NIA files chargesheet against 23 in Malda judges' harassment case
Synopsis
The NIA has now charge-sheeted 54 people across 6 of 12 cases tied to the Mothabari judges' harassment incident in Malda — a case that is rare for its targeting of sitting judicial officers. With a Congress leader already arrested and video evidence reportedly in hand, the probe is rapidly escalating into one of the most significant NIA actions in West Bengal in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
The NIA filed chargesheets against 23 individuals in two cases on 30 June related to the Mothabari judges' harassment incident in Malda, West Bengal .
Charges include attempted murder , illegal detention, assault on government servants, and obstruction of government work under the BNS, 2023 .
The NIA has now filed chargesheets in 6 of 12 registered cases, covering a total of 54 accused .
Congress leader Sayem Chowdhury (also known as Babu Chowdhury) was arrested on 25 June on suspicion of organising the siege.
Video footage reportedly shows Chowdhury making provocative remarks against the SIR process and judicial officers.
Chargesheets in the remaining 6 cases are expected to follow as the trial before the special NIA court in Kolkata takes shape.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday, 30 June filed chargesheets against 23 individuals in two separate cases stemming from the harassment of judicial officers engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work at Mothabari in Malda district, West Bengal. The chargesheets were submitted before a special NIA court in Kolkata.
Key Developments in the Chargesheet
According to sources familiar with the matter, the 23 accused have been charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The charges include attempted murder, assault on government servants, harassment, obstruction of government servants in the discharge of their duties, illegal detention, and obstruction of government work.
In the first of the two cases filed on Tuesday, 22 individuals have been charge-sheeted in a 54-page document. The second case names one individual and spans 11 pages. One of Tuesday's chargesheets includes the name of Rinku Aari.
Scope of the NIA Probe
A total of 12 cases were registered in connection with the harassment of judicial officers during the SIR process at Mothabari. With Tuesday's filings, the NIA has now submitted chargesheets in 6 of those 12 cases. Earlier this month, the agency had filed chargesheets against 31 people across four cases — with 3, 15, 10, and 3 accused respectively — one of which named main accused Mofakkerul Islam and Ekramul Badnani.
Congress Leader Arrested in Connection
On 25 June, the NIA arrested Congress leader Sayem Chowdhury, also known as Babu Chowdhury, a former Congress candidate from the Mothabari Assembly constituency. He was taken into custody following prolonged questioning at the agency's Kolkata office.
According to NIA officials, Chowdhury is suspected to have played a key role in organising the siege. Investigators have reportedly obtained video footage showing him making provocative remarks against the SIR process and judicial officers. The agency also suspects his involvement in the attack on the judges' vehicles as they returned from the Block Development Officer (BDO) office.
Background: What Happened at Mothabari
The Mothabari incident, which occurred earlier this year in the minority-dominated Malda district, involved the targeted harassment of judges carrying out Special Intensive Revision work — a judicial process linked to electoral rolls. The scale of the alleged mob action, which reportedly included obstructing official vehicles and detaining government servants, prompted the NIA to take over the probe from local authorities. The case has drawn national attention given that judicial officers were among the victims.
What Comes Next
With half of the 12 registered cases now charge-sheeted, the NIA is expected to file further chargesheets in the remaining six cases in the coming weeks. The trial proceedings before the special NIA court in Kolkata are likely to begin once all chargesheets are in place, making the eventual outcome a significant test of the agency's jurisdiction in cases involving threats to judicial functioning.
Point of View
And arrested a former electoral candidate, signals how seriously the agency views the organised nature of the alleged siege. What is striking is the breadth of charges: attempted murder alongside obstruction suggests the violence was not incidental but deliberate. The involvement of a Congress leader adds a political dimension that will be contested vigorously in court. West Bengal has seen repeated friction between central agencies and the state government; this case will test whether the NIA's jurisdiction over threats to judicial officers holds firm through trial.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mothabari judges' harassment case?
The Mothabari case involves the alleged harassment, obstruction, and assault of judicial officers who were conducting Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work in Malda district, West Bengal, earlier in 2025. A total of 12 cases were registered, and the NIA took over the investigation given the severity of the alleged mob action against government servants.
How many people has the NIA charged so far in the Mothabari case?
As of 30 June, the NIA has filed chargesheets against a total of 54 individuals across 6 of the 12 registered cases. Tuesday's filings added 23 more accused, following an earlier round that named 31 people across four cases.
Who is Sayem Chowdhury and why was he arrested?
Sayem Chowdhury, also known as Babu Chowdhury, is a former Congress candidate from the Mothabari Assembly constituency. He was arrested by the NIA on 25 June 2025 on suspicion of organising the siege against the judges, with investigators reportedly holding video footage of him making provocative remarks against the SIR process.
What charges have been filed against the accused?
The accused have been charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including attempted murder, assault on government servants, harassment, illegal detention, obstruction of government servants in the discharge of their duties, and obstruction of government work.
What happens next in the Mothabari NIA case?
The NIA is expected to file chargesheets in the remaining 6 of the 12 registered cases. Trial proceedings before the special NIA court in Kolkata are likely to commence once all chargesheets are submitted, making the case a significant legal test of the agency's mandate to protect judicial functioning.
