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Judges' hostage row: AIMIM leader, 'mastermind' of protests, arrested
03 Apr 2026

The West Bengal Police have arrested All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Mofakkerul Islam.

He is accused of masterminding a protest in Malda on Wednesday that resulted in seven Special Intensive Revision (SIR) officers being held hostage for over nine hours.

The police apprehended Islam, an advocate, at Bagdogra Airport while he was trying to flee the state.

What triggered the protest
Hostage crisis

The protest started outside the Kaliachak II Block Development Office (BDO), where demonstrators demanded a meeting with SIR officers.

When their request was denied, they gheraoed the BDO office around 4:00pm taking seven officers hostage.

The group included three women officers and a five-year-old child of one officer was also inside the office during the standoff.

Officers rescued, protesters attacked police vehicles
Legal intervention

The officers were rescued around midnight by a police team. Protesters reportedly pelted stones at the police van during the rescue operation, with social media footage showing broken car windows and protesters chasing after police vehicles.

The incident was later taken to the Supreme Court on Thursday morning, where a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi slammed the West Bengal government for its "criminal failure."

Supreme Court reprimands West Bengal government
Court orders

The Supreme Court also reprimanded senior state officials, including the chief secretary and DGP.

Chief Justice Surya Kant called West Bengal the most polarized state, adding politics has overtaken even compliance with court orders.

The bench described the incident as a brazen attempt not only to browbeat judicial officers but also to challenge the authority of this court.

Supreme Court orders central forces deployment
Security measures

The Supreme Court ordered the Election Commission to deploy central forces for the protection of judicial officers, including at their residences.

The court also directed an investigation into the incident by either CBI or NIA.

Chief Justice Surya Kant further instructed police to restrict entry to BDO premises to three-five people at a time during ongoing adjudication work.