ECI asks NIA to probe Malda violence

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday (April 2, 2026) asked the National Investigation Agency to investigate the violence in Malda district of West Bengal, where seven judicial officers were gheraoed by a mob on Wednesday (April 1, 2026) evening.

During the hearing on the matter on Thursday (April 2, 2026), the Supreme Court had directed the commission to entrust the investigation into the incident to an independent agency, such as the Central Bureau of Investigation or the National Investigation Agency.

“In this regard, I am directed to request that the necessary inquiry/investigation into the matter be conducted and a preliminary inquiry report be submitted directly to the Hon’ble court as per the above directions,” secretary of the Election Commission Sujeet Kumar Mitra wrote to Director-General of the NIA.

Seven judicial officers who had gone to Kaliachak for judicial adjudication work were gheraoed by a mob for several hours at Kaliachak block II Malda. The police had to rescue the officials late on Wednesday (April 1, 2026) night.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she was left with no control over administration of State government due to large number of transfers, alleged that there was a plot to incite violence and impose President’s rule in West Bengal.