The crackdown on the Kaliachak violence has intensified with the total number of arrests reaching 35. ADG (North Bengal) K. Jayaraman confirmed the arrest of the prime instigator, Mofakkerul Islam, from Bagdogra Airport on Friday morning. Islam, a lawyer and former MIM candidate, was attempting to flee to Bengaluru when he was intercepted by a joint team of CID and Siliguri Police.

The Legal Heat: Following Supreme Court directives, the NIA has officially launched its investigation into the assault on judicial officers. The apex court expressed grave concern over the incident where judges were kept hostage without food or water at the BDO office and later attacked. Terming it a “challenge to the court’s authority,” the bench has sought accountability from the Chief Secretary and DGP.

Security & Custody: While 18 accused, including ISF candidate Maulana Shahjahan Ali, have been remanded to 10-day police custody, all judicial officers involved have been granted CAPF protection. Investigators are now probing whether the mob violence was a pre-planned conspiracy. With 19 cases registered so far, the NIA is set to unearth the deeper roots of this brazen attack on the legal system.