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A court on Thursday rejected the bail pleas of 52 accused in the Mothabari Special Intensive Revision (SIR) case in West Bengal and remanded them to judicial custody till May 13, citing the seriousness of allegations linked to the confinement of judicial officers.

 

Among those arrested is local Trinamool Congress leader Mofakkerul Islam. The case relates to an incident in Mothabari in Malda district, where judges deputed for the SIR process were allegedly harassed and confined inside the Kaliachak-II Block Office for over nine hours.

 

The judges had been tasked with verifying and disposing of voter-related documents under the SIR exercise. According to allegations, a group of individuals whose names were excluded from the pending list entered the office, gheraoed officials and kept seven judges confined until late at night.

 

The incident drew judicial attention and was subsequently raised before the Supreme Court, prompting further intervention.

 

Following directions from the court and the Election Commission of India, the probe was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Prior to this, the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had arrested Mofakkerul Islam. Subsequent arrests were made based on video evidence, taking the total number of accused into custody to 52.

Also read: Attack on judges in WB: NIA flags gaps in SC report

The initial phase of the investigation witnessed a standoff between the state police and the NIA, with the central agency alleging that custody of the accused and relevant documents were not being handed over despite court directions. The matter was later resolved following legal intervention, and the case was transferred fully to the NIA.

 

During the hearing on Thursday, bail applications were moved on behalf of the accused. The NIA opposed the pleas, pointing to the gravity of the charges and the nature of the incident.

 

After hearing both sides, the court rejected the bail pleas and ordered that all accused be remanded to judicial custody till May 13.

 

NIA counsel Shyamal Ghosh said, “Twelve cases related to the Mothabari incident were heard today, and in all instances, judicial custody has been ordered.” He added that efforts were underway to file the final investigation report at the earliest.