Kolkata, 26 May (H.S.): The National Investigation Agency has intensified its investigation into the Mothabari judge harassment case following the political change in West Bengal. Late on Monday night, the central agency conducted raids in several areas of Kaliachak and Mothabari in Malda district and arrested 14 more people. With these latest arrests, the total number of arrests in the case has risen to 68.
According to sources, the arrested accused are suspected to have played a direct role in the alleged harassment and gherao of judges during the incident. All the accused will be produced before a court on Tuesday, where the NIA is expected to seek their custody for further interrogation. Investigators believe questioning them could help identify other people linked to the case.
The incident took place during the SIR process in the Mothabari area of Kaliachak, when tensions escalated after allegations surfaced that names were being removed from the list despite people possessing valid documents. Protests erupted over the issue, and several judges who had visited the BDO office for SIR-related work were allegedly surrounded and confined for hours by demonstrators. Protesters reportedly staged aggressive demonstrations against the judges.
The situation deteriorated to such an extent that seven judges, including a woman judge, had to be rescued late at night under the protection of central forces. The incident triggered major political controversy across the state. Later, on the directions of the Supreme Court of India, the investigation was handed over to the National Investigation Agency, which is probing the case based on three FIRs.
Following the incident, police had arrested Maulana Shahjahan Ali Qadri, the ISF candidate from the Mothabari Assembly constituency. Later, the alleged main conspirator and AIMIM leader Mofakkerul Islam was arrested by the CID from Bagdogra Airport. Subsequently, 49 other individuals were also taken into custody in connection with the case.
After taking over the probe on the Supreme Court’s instructions, the NIA also arrested Mothabari ISF leader Ghulam Rabbani. During interrogation and examination of CCTV footage, investigators identified several more suspects. As part of that continuing operation, the NIA carried out extensive raids on Monday night and arrested 14 additional people.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
