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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested Congress leader and Mothabari Assembly candidate Sayem Chowdhury, also known as Babu Chowdhury, in connection with the alleged gherao of judicial officers and attacks on their vehicles in Malda ahead of the Assembly elections.

 

Chowdhury was taken into custody following a marathon interrogation session at the NIA’s Kolkata office. The agency has alleged that he played a key role in instigating violence against judicial officers engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duties and in organising the gherao of the BDO office in Mothabari.

 

According to NIA sources, investigators have obtained video footage purportedly showing Chowdhury making provocative remarks and inciting people against the judicial officers and the SIR process. Officials claimed he was directly involved in mobilising the crowd that surrounded the BDO office and later attacked and vandalised vehicles carrying judges as they were returning from duty at night.

Also read: Mothabari case: NIA arrests four, charge sheet filed

 

The NIA took over the investigation in April, citing the sensitivity of the case. So far, 72 people have been arrested in connection with the incident, and a chargesheet has been filed against 31 accused.

 

Initially, state police arrested Shahjahan Ali Qadri, an ISF candidate from Mothabari. After taking over the probe, the NIA secured Qadri’s custody and subsequently filed a chargesheet against him. The agency also arrested Golam Rabbani, a local ISF leader, for his alleged involvement in the case.

 

Sources associated with the investigation said Chowdhury was first questioned by the NIA at Kaliachak police station in Malda shortly after the agency assumed control of the probe. However, he was not arrested at the time as investigators said they lacked sufficient evidence.

 

Following an examination of digital evidence and other materials, the agency claimed to have gathered substantial evidence against him. Chowdhury was later summoned to the NIA office in New Town, Kolkata, where he underwent extensive questioning.

 

Officials said alleged inconsistencies in his statements, coupled with material collected during the investigation, led to his arrest.

 

The investigation is continuing as the NIA probes the broader conspiracy behind the incident.