In a fast-moving development following the Supreme Court’s “criminal failure” rebuke, the West Bengal Police on Friday, April 3, 2026, arrested AIMIM leader Mofakkerul Islam at Bagdogra Airport. Islam, an advocate and former assembly candidate, is accused of being the “mastermind” behind the violent nine-hour siege in Malda that saw seven judicial officers and a five-year-old child held hostage.
The arrest occurred as Islam reportedly attempted to flee the state, just hours after the apex court ordered a central agency probe into the security lapse.
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The Anatomy of the Siege: Why Judicial Officers?
The crisis at the Kaliachak II Block Development Office (BDO) was triggered by the high-stakes Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bengal’s electoral rolls.
The Trigger: The SIR process recorded a staggering 63 lakh deletions from the voters’ list, with another 60 lakh marked “under adjudication.”
The Role of Officers: The seven judicial officers were tasked by the Supreme Court to review these 60 lakh cases to ensure no genuine voter was disenfranchised.
The Escalation: Protesters, allegedly led by Islam, surrounded the BDO office at 4 PM on Wednesday after being denied a meeting. The officers, including three women, were only rescued at midnight amidst a hail of stones that shattered police vehicle windows.
Supreme Court Steps In: CBI/NIA Probe Ordered
The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant has stripped the state government of its investigative authority over the incident, citing extreme polarization.
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| Judicial Directive | Action Mandated |
| Central Investigation | The ECI must hand over the probe to either the CBI or NIA. |
| Security Takeover | Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are to protect all judicial officers and their homes. |
| Summons | The Chief Secretary, DGP, and DM must personally appear in court on April 6. |
| Crowd Control | Entry to adjudication sites is now restricted to a maximum of 5 people at a time. |
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Profile of the Accused: Mofakkerul Islam
Mofakkerul Islam is not a fringe element but a seasoned political player in North Bengal.
Legal Background: As an advocate, Islam allegedly used his knowledge of the SIR process to mobilize local sentiment against the “voter deletions.”
Political Ambition: He was the AIMIM candidate from the Itahar constituency in the 2021 polls.
The “Flee” Attempt: Police tracked his movement to Bagdogra Airport, suggesting he was aware of the impending Supreme Court heat.
Investigative Insight: The “63 Lakh” Powder Keg
The arrest of an AIMIM leader adds a volatile communal and political layer to the 2026 Assembly Elections. The deletion of 63 lakh names is an unprecedented figure in Indian electoral history; for context, that represents nearly 8-10% of the state’s electorate. While the judicial officers were there to provide a “fair hearing,” the protesters viewed them as the “executioners” of their voting rights.
By naming an AIMIM leader as the mastermind, the narrative shifts from a “spontaneous public protest” to a “calculated political maneuver” to disrupt the roll revision. However, the Supreme Court’s decision to involve the CBI or NIA suggests they suspect a deeper conspiracy to intimidate the judiciary itself. If the NIA takes over, they will likely investigate whether the “siege” was a trial run for larger-scale disruptions planned for the April 23 and 29 polling phases.
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