Protests continue in West Bengal's Malda district over deletions from electoral rolls under Special Intensive Revision, following the gherao of seven judicial officers. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee endorsed Supreme Court remarks, urged calm and blamed the BJP. The BJP demanded the arrest of TMC minister Sabina Yeasmin.
On the night of April 1, thousands of protesters gheraoed seven judicial officers, including three women, at the Kaliachowk-II Block Development Office in Malda over deletions from electoral rolls under Special Intensive Revision. Police rescued them after midnight amid stone-pelting on their vehicles. The Supreme Court on April 2 termed it a 'brazen attempt' to browbeat officers and directed an independent probe.
The Election Commission entrusted the investigation to the NIA. Police arrested 18 people, including Indian Secular Front candidate Shahjahan Ali Qadri from Mothabari. Demonstrators continued blocking National Highway-12 and queued for tribunal applications, voicing frustration over rejected claims despite documents.
In Murshidabad, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, 'What SC has said is correct, do not fall for provocations.' She demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation, blamed BJP for incitement towards President's Rule, and noted EC scrutiny of 60 lakh voters with 22 lakh retained. BJP leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Shamik Bhattacharya called it a planned TMC attack, demanding arrest of minister Sabina Yeasmin and alleging threats to judiciary.
