In the aftermath of the Mothabari incident in Malda — where judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were allegedly held captive for over nine hours — the National Investigation Agency’s preliminary findings are now set to come under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court of India.
According to sources, NIA Inspector General Sonia Singh has reached New Delhi with a detailed 25-page report, which is scheduled to be submitted to the apex court on Monday.
The report is expected to shed light on the sequence of events before and after the attack on judicial officers on Wednesday night, along with examining the role of the local administration. The developments have drawn significant attention, particularly as the Supreme Court had earlier expressed strong dissatisfaction with the handling of the situation by state authorities.
Concerns have reportedly surfaced within Nabanna, the state secretariat, over potential directions that may be issued by the court after reviewing the findings. Previously, the apex court had issued show-cause notices to key officials, including the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police (DGP), and the district-level Superintendent of Police (SP) and District Magistrate (DM), questioning their response to the incident.
Sources within the investigative agency indicated that the report includes statements from the affected judicial officers as well as testimonies from 22 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in the Mothabari region. Investigators have also reportedly identified inconsistencies in statements given by local police personnel and eyewitnesses. The document is said to provide a comprehensive account of the gravity of the situation and assess whether there was any administrative negligence.
Taking serious note of the incident, the Supreme Court had earlier initiated suo motu proceedings. Chief Justice Surya Kant, while hearing the matter, had strongly criticised the situation, stating that attacks on judicial officers raise serious concerns about public safety and cannot be tolerated. He had also indicated that the court could consider directing central forces to intervene and ensure strict action against those responsible.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night when judicial officials visiting Mothabari in Malda to oversee the SIR process were allegedly attacked by an agitated mob. Reports suggested that stones were hurled at their vehicles and that the officials were subjected to harassment, triggering nationwide concern.
Following the Supreme Court’s directive, the probe into the incident was handed over to the NIA.
With the West Bengal Assembly elections approaching, the Mothabari episode has intensified the political climate in the state. The findings of the NIA report and the observations of the Supreme Court are now expected to play a crucial role in shaping the discourse around law and order, potentially increasing pressure on the state administration in the days ahead.
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