A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has arrived in Malda, Bengal, to investigate a mob siege at a block development officer's (BDO) office that held seven judicial officers hostage for hours.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday night, has sparked a row ahead of the Bengal polls on April 23 and 29.
Seventeen people, including Maulana Muhammad Shahjahan Ali Qadri, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) candidate from the Mothabari assembly seat, were arrested in connection with the incident.
The NIA team visited the spots where the agitation took place and collected samples.
The Supreme Court had come down heavily on the state government, terming the episode 'shocking' and saying it ex facie appears to be a calculated and deliberate move to demoralise judicial officers.
The incident has triggered a row as Bengal awaits polls, with the state's 27% Muslim population influencing results in around 120 constituencies.
