A day after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) team launched a probe to investigate the harassment of seven judicial officers, engaged in the SIR exercise, at Kaliachak-II block office earlier this week, the team of on Saturday collected the CCTV footage from inside the BDO office and Mothabari Chowrangi more, calling it a “core asset” for investigation, an official said.

The team, led by IG Sonia Singh, includes 40 officers and 60 security guards, along with 25 more officials who arrived on Saturday.

The NIA has been tasked by the Election Commission to investigate the Wednesday incident, following a directive from the Supreme Court, which has censured the West Bengal administration over the issue. It worked till midnight on the first day, collecting evidence.

According to NIA sources, they will only investigate and submit a report to the Chief Justice of the SC within 6 days. No FIR will be filed.

While 35 arrests have been made in the matter so far, the investigators are probing who planned the attack and detention of judges, seeking to identify the mastermind behind the violence.

The team is focusing the investigation on the incidents at Kaliachak, Mothabari, and English Bazar, and have taken custody of the CCTV footage from inside the BDO office and Mothabari Chowrangi more.

“This footage is now the ‘core asset’ of the investigation. Because, in understanding what exactly happened during the incident, this video can be the most reliable source,” an official said.

Reviewing the footage and speaking to eyewitnesses, the investigators are piecing together the incident.
According to sources, the agency is investigating a possible pre-planned attack on the BDO office, where seven judicial officers were held hostage.

NIA on Saturday spoke with the judges who were trapped, eyewitnesses, and car drivers escorting the officers.
A senior NIA officer spoke with Maldah District Magistrate Rajanbir Singh Kapoor.