The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the violence and hostage-taking of judicial officers in Muslim-dominated Malda, has made its first arrest in the case. On Sunday, 12th April, the agency arrested Golam Rabbani, a panchayat member linked to the Indian Secular Front (ISF). Along with this, the NIA had also arrested Congress leader Sayem Chowdhury, who is contesting from the Mothabari Assembly constituency, and seven others associated with him.
News Alert ! Malda judicial officials' gherao: NIA detains Cong's Mothabari candidate, six others; arrests ISF gram panchayat member, say officials. pic.twitter.com/tBgCqYn7Zj
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 12, 2026
According to officials, Chowdhury was arrested when he was campaigning at Alinagar panchayat locality.
“We are questioning Chowdhury and verifying his involvement in the incident. If we get proper evidence against him, he will be arrested,” a senior NIA official said.
The investigation has now widened further. According to a report by Times Now, the NIA has arrested two more Congress workers in connection with the case. They have been identified as Shahadat Hussain and Asif Sheikh.
Congress Workers Linked to Malda Violence?
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 13, 2026
NIA arrests 2 Congress workers
Sources to Times Now:
– Congress workers mobilised mob
– Congress workers played key role
– Mob was instigated against S.I.R.
– 'Congress workers Husaain and Sheikh arrested' @Journo_Rajesh… pic.twitter.com/qI9TeB3PGc
Sources told Times Now both individuals played a key role in mobilising the crowd during the protest that later turned violent. Their exact role is currently being investigated as the agency continues to piece together the sequence of events.
Probe widens as earlier arrests come under scanner
Before the NIA took over, the case was being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which had already arrested 35 people. Among them was All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) activist and lawyer Mofakkerul Islam.
Sources say Rabbani’s name came up during the questioning of Islam, after which the NIA moved to arrest him. According to CID officials, Islam is believed to be the main conspirator who allegedly incited the crowd before the incident. He was reportedly seen giving a provocative speech just before the violence broke out.
The NIA has now sought custody of all 35 accused arrested earlier by the CID. Officials believe that questioning Rabbani could help them identify other key people involved in the conspiracy. “NIA officials think that from Rabbani they will be able to reach the other masterminds of the incident,” an officer said.
Multiple FIRs registered, central team on the ground
The agency has already registered multiple FIRs in connection with the case, seven at Mothabari Police Station and five at Kalichak Police Station. A large team of around 40 NIA officials, led by a DIG-rank officer, is currently stationed in the state to carry out the investigation.
The case was handed over to the NIA by the Election Commission of India following directions from the Supreme Court.
What happened in Malda
The incident took place on 1st April at the Kaliachak-II BDO office in Malda, where a large mob turned violent over the removal of some names from the voter list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The mob held seven judicial officers, including three women and even a young child, hostage inside the office for several hours.
The officials were reportedly trapped without food or water for nearly nine hours. As tensions escalated, the mob blocked roads and highways, including National Highway 12, and attacked vehicles with stones and bricks when police tried to rescue the officers. The situation was brought under control only late at night, when security forces managed to safely escort the officials out.
