Malda judicial officers’ siege: ECI hands over probe to NIA, warns violence will not be tolerated
The Statesman | 3 April 2026
The Election Commission of India has handed over the investigation into the Malda incident in West Bengal to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), following the gherao of seven judicial officers at a block office.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said strict action would be taken and made it clear that violence against officials on election duty would not be tolerated. An NIA team is expected to reach West Bengal on Friday to begin its probe.
The incident took place at the BDO office in the Kaliachowk area of Malda district, where judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were surrounded by a group described as anti-social elements.
The move to involve the NIA comes after directions from the Supreme Court in a suo motu case concerning the safety of judicial officers deployed for election-related work in the state. The court had asked the Election Commission to assign the inquiry to an independent agency such as the NIA or the CBI.
In a letter to the NIA Director General, the Election Commission requested a detailed investigation and asked that a preliminary report be submitted directly to the Supreme Court, in line with its instructions.
The Commission has also assured the court that it will file a compliance report on the steps taken in the matter.