KOLKATA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against 31 people accused of holding judicial officials hostage during the Special Intensive Review (SIR) in April this year in West Bengal’s Malda district, officials said.
“The NIA has filed chargesheets in four separate cases in connection with illegal detention of judicial personnel and blockade of roads in Malda during Operation SIR,” an NIA official said.
The 31 accused have been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023, the National Highways Act, 1956, and the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (WBMPO) Act, 1972.
“The specific roles played by each accused have been detailed in the chargesheets, which prove their involvement in roadblocks, illegal detention and restraint of judicial personnel involved in the special intensive review of electoral rolls at various locations in Malda district,” the NIA said in a statement.
On April 1, seven judicial officers appointed by the Calcutta High Court during the process of adjudication of an SIR case in West Bengal were attacked by a mob at Kaliachak in Malda over the omission of names from the electoral roll. Judicial officers’ cars were attacked. A day later, the Election Commission of India handed over the investigation to the NIA, following directions from the Supreme Court.
Last week, the NIA arrested 15 people in two separate cases related to the April 1 incident. In total, more than 60 people have been arrested in connection with the incident so far.
The NIA registered at least 12 First Information Reporters (FIRs). While five FIRs were lodged at Kaliachak police station, seven FIRs were lodged at Muthabari police station.
