Representational Image NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its probe into the violence and protests linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal’s Malda district, arresting two more accused in separate cases connected to the unrest that took place before the polls. The latest arrests mark another significant step in the agency’s ongoing investigation into a series of incidents involving road blockades, attacks on police personnel, and alleged obstruction of public officials carrying out their duties.
According to the NIA, the two arrested individuals have been identified as Maulana Imran Ali and Rinku SK. They were taken into custody following searches conducted by agency teams as part of the broader investigation into violence that erupted during the electoral roll revision exercise. Investigators allege that both accused were actively involved in unlawful gatherings that turned violent and disrupted public order in the district.
The cases stem from protests and mob actions that reportedly occurred during the SIR exercise in Malda. Authorities have alleged that judicial officers and government officials engaged in election-related duties were obstructed and illegally detained by protesters. In addition, several incidents involving attacks on police personnel and blockades on a National Highway were reported during the period of unrest.
Officials said the arrests relate to cases distinct from those in which charge sheets have already been filed. The NIA has registered a total of 12 cases linked to the violence and protests in Malda. Of these, investigations in four cases have progressed to the charge-sheet stage, while inquiries in the remaining cases continue.
The agency stated that a total of 35 accused individuals are currently in judicial custody in connection with various incidents related to the Malda violence. Investigators believe that the two newly arrested suspects played active roles in gatherings that allegedly resorted to intimidation, obstruction, and violent actions during the electoral roll revision process.
The NIA’s investigation has focused on determining the sequence of events that led to the disruption of administrative activities and law-and-order challenges during the protests. Authorities claim that the accused were among those who participated in mob actions that hindered officials from performing their assigned responsibilities.
Investigators have also linked the accused to incidents in which police personnel deployed to maintain order were allegedly attacked by protesters. Several officers reportedly sustained injuries during clashes. One of the most serious incidents involved a police bus driver who suffered severe head injuries after being struck by a stone. The driver subsequently lost control of the vehicle, highlighting the risks faced by personnel deployed in the affected areas.
The unrest in Malda drew national attention after reports emerged of violence surrounding the electoral roll revision exercise. Concerns over attacks on public officials and disruptions to administrative work prompted legal scrutiny, eventually leading to intervention by higher authorities.
The NIA had launched its investigation following directions stemming from the Supreme Court’s attention to the incidents. The court had taken suo motu cognizance of the violence reported in Malda earlier this year, paving the way for a central probe into the circumstances surrounding the disturbances and the individuals allegedly involved.
Officials familiar with the investigation said the agency is examining evidence from multiple incidents, including witness testimonies, digital records, and material collected during searches. The objective is not only to identify those directly involved in acts of violence but also to determine whether there was any larger conspiracy behind the coordinated protests and attacks.
The agency has indicated that further action may follow as the investigation progresses. Efforts are currently underway to identify additional suspects and establish the roles played by various individuals in different incidents linked to the violence. Authorities believe that uncovering the broader network behind the unrest is essential to ensuring accountability and preventing similar disruptions in the future.
With investigations continuing across all 12 registered cases, the NIA has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing every lead related to the Malda violence. The latest arrests underscore the agency’s ongoing efforts to bring those responsible before the law while piecing together the full extent of the events that unfolded during the contentious electoral roll revision exercise in the district.
