Nia Chargesheet Malda Judicial Officers Detention West Bengal Elections

A total of 31 accused persons have been named in chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in four separate cases in connection with the road blockades and illegal detention of judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR... A total of 31 accused persons have been named in chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in four separate cases in connection with the road blockades and illegal detention of judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls carried out in West Bengal’s Malda district ahead of the Assembly elections in the state, officers said on Tuesday. According to officers, the chargesheets have been filed before the NIA Special Court, Kolkata based on various digital, documentary and oral evidence, as well as examination of several witnesses to the incidents that rocked the region ahead of the state assembly polls held in April. The accused have been charged under respective relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, National Highways Act, 1956, and West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (WBMPO) Act, 1972. According to the NIA, specific roles played by each of the accused have been detailed in the chargesheets, which clearly establish their involvement in the road blockades and illegal detention/restraint of judicial officers engaged in the SIR exercise at various locations in Malda district. The central agency had taken over the investigation in the cases following the Supreme Court’s suo motu cognizance and directive. The top court had also slammed the West Bengal administration over the violence against judicial officers deputed in Malda. NIA in a statement noted that its probe had found out that “the accused had, in a coordinated manner, participated in unlawful assemblies, blocked public roads, obstructed the movement of government officials, and wrongfully restrained judicial officers engaged in the SIR exercise.” “Their (accused) actions had interfered with the conduct of the statutory electoral exercise and discharge of official duties by public servants. The accused had also disrupted the law and order in the region with their unlawful activities, it has been clearly established by NIA in its chargesheets, “added the statement. Further, NIA stated that it is continuing with its “investigation to identify, trace and prosecute other absconding accused and suspects involved in the conspiracy and the unlawful actions that had violated constitutional and statutory processes and disturbed public life.” The case was shifted to the central agency amid rising concerns over institutional intimidation and political mobilisation during the poll-preparedness phase. Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness.