In a major development following the unrest in Malda, the West Bengal Police arrested AIMIM leader and lawyer Mofakkerul Islam at Bagdogra Airport while he was attempting to flee the state. Islam is accused of inciting a mob that held seven judicial officers hostage for over nine hours at the Kaliachak-2 BDO office last Wednesday. The crisis stemmed from the SIR (Special Inquiry Report) process, which reportedly led to the deletion of over 63 lakh names from the final voter list.

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, expressed deep anguish over the incident, labeling it a “criminal failure” on the part of the state administration. The bench remarked that West Bengal has become the “most polarized state,” where politics is interfering with judicial mandates. Following the apex court’s intervention, the investigation has been handed over to the NIA. Furthermore, the Election Commission has been directed to provide round-the-clock Central Force security at the residences of the affected judicial officers.