New Delhi, June 25: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a local leader in Malda district, West Bengal, in connection with the hostage-taking of judicial officials during a Special Intensive Review (SIR) process. Officials reported this development on Thursday.
The agency detained the accused, identified as Sayem Chowdhury, also known as Babu Chowdhury, after questioning him at their Kolkata branch office.
According to the NIA’s investigation, Chowdhury was one of the main perpetrators involved in unlawfully holding judicial officials hostage at the Block-2 office of the Block Development Officer (BDO) on April 1. Officials stated, “He was part of the mob that disrupted law and order and attacked police officers on duty, resulting in injuries to nine policemen.”
The investigation team noted that the accused had delivered a speech in front of the BDO office a day before the incident, inciting people to engage in violent protests.
Authorities revealed that Babu Chowdhury conspired with co-accused individuals and actively participated in illegal assemblies that attempted to intimidate, threaten, and obstruct during the SIR process.
To date, the NIA has arrested a total of 30 individuals in this case.
The agency is investigating over a dozen cases related to mob protests and the unlawful hostage-taking of judicial officials during the special intensive review of the voter list in Malda district ahead of the state assembly elections.
The NIA stated that it continues to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in various cases linked to the larger conspiracy behind the violence that occurred before the elections. This investigation was initiated following directives from the Supreme Court, which took suo motu cognizance of the violence in Malda in April.
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