NIA Arrests Local Political Leader in Connection with Violence in West Bengal
The National Investigation Agency has arrested a local political leader in West Bengal linked to violent protests that occurred during the Special Intensive Revision process. Sayem Chowdhury, also known as Babu Chowdhury, is accused of leading a crowd that obstructed law enforcement and unlawfully detained judicial officials. This arrest is part of a broader investigation into multiple incidents of violence leading up to the state assembly elections. The NIA aims to uncover the larger conspiracy behind these events, following a directive from the Supreme Court.
| Jun 25, 2026, 14:26 IST
NIA Takes Action Against Political Leader
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a "local political leader" in relation to violence that occurred during the 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) process in Malda district, West Bengal. This incident is linked to protests in April where crowds allegedly obstructed roads and detained judicial officials. The arrested individual has been identified as Sayem Chowdhury, also known as Babu Chowdhury, a political figure from Mothbari in Malda. According to a statement from the NIA, the agency's team took him into custody following an interrogation at their branch office in Kolkata. With this arrest, the agency has now detained a total of 30 individuals in connection with this case. They are investigating over a dozen incidents related to crowd protests and the illegal detention of judicial officials prior to the West Bengal assembly elections.
Details of the Investigation
The NIA revealed that Chowdhury was the main accused in the unlawful detention of judicial officials at the BDO Office Block-II on April 1, 2026. He is alleged to have been part of a crowd that disrupted law and order and attacked police officers on duty. Reports indicate that nine police personnel sustained injuries during these assaults. The agency noted that the day before the incident, Chowdhury incited the public to participate in violent protests by delivering a speech in front of the BDO office. Furthermore, the NIA accused him of conspiring with co-accused individuals and actively participating in an unlawful assembly that engaged in violence, intimidation, and obstruction during the SIR process.
Ongoing Investigations
The NIA has stated that it is working to identify and locate all individuals involved in various incidents of violence that occurred in West Bengal prior to the elections. This investigation aims to uncover the larger conspiracy behind these events. The agency initiated this inquiry following a directive from the Supreme Court, which took suo motu cognizance of the violence that transpired in Malda in April.