Arrest Made in Malda Judicial Officers' Gherao Incident Ahead of West Bengal Elections

Key Developments in Malda Incident

A lawyer identified as the alleged orchestrator behind the gherao of judicial officials in Malda district, West Bengal, was apprehended on Friday. Reports indicate that Moffakkerul Islam, hailing from the Itahar region in Uttar Dinajpur, was taken into custody for allegedly 'instigating individuals' during the incident.

Islam previously ran for a seat in the 2021 Assembly elections representing the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party. According to K Jayaraman, the Inspector General of Police for North Bengal, he was captured at Bagdogra airport while reportedly trying to escape the state. So far, authorities have arrested 35 individuals linked to the violent episode.

Currently, the West Bengal Police is operating under the Election Commission's oversight due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct as the Assembly elections approach.

The unrest in Malda occurred on Wednesday when demonstrators, protesting against alleged widespread voter deletions during the electoral roll revision, took seven judicial officers, including three women, hostage for several hours.

As the officers were returning home, their vehicles were targeted with stones by the mob. They were ultimately freed after midnight thanks to the intervention of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul of the Calcutta High Court.

In response to the incident, the Supreme Court has mandated the deployment of central forces to ensure the safety of judicial officers involved in the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal.

The Assembly elections in the state are scheduled to occur in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes set for May 4.