Malda ADM Faces Show-Cause Notice Over Judicial Officers' Gherao Incident
In a significant development following the Kaliachak incident where judicial officers were gheraoed, Malda Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Sheikh Ansar Ahamad has been served a show-cause notice by District Magistrate Rajanbir Singh Kapur. This action comes just three days after the incident and a day before a crucial Supreme Court hearing, highlighting the administrative scrutiny in the aftermath.
Charges of Dereliction of Duty and Unauthorized Actions
The notice, issued on Sunday, charges ADM Ahamad with dereliction of duty and failure to accurately report the ground situation during the crisis. A second notice dated April 4 further accuses him of making unauthorized commitments regarding the Summary Inquiry Report (SIR) process, demanding a reply within seven days. These allegations stem from his role in negotiations with agitators on the night of March 31, where he attempted but failed to secure the release of judicial magistrates gheraoed at the Block Development Officer (BDO) office.
Key concerns raised in the notice include Ahamad's public address to protesters, where he discussed the SIR of the electoral roll—actions deemed beyond his official remit. Additionally, he has been asked to explain his failure to alert higher authorities about the escalating situation between 3:30 PM and 8:30 PM on April 1, a critical period when tensions were high.
Controversial Role in Ending Blockade
Despite the criticisms, ADM Ahamad played a pivotal role in de-escalating the situation around 10 PM on April 1. Mofakkerul Islam, the main accused in the Mothabari confinement of judicial officers, handed Ahamad the microphone, and his assurances helped end the blockade at the BDO office. However, this intervention did not resolve the crisis entirely, as judicial officers remained confined at the Mothabari block office, located 20 kilometers away, until late into the night.
The incident underscores the complex challenges faced by local administrators in handling protests and ensuring law and order, with Ahamad's actions now under formal review.
NIA Investigation Ahead of Supreme Court Hearing
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its probe into the matter. On Sunday, NIA officials spoke to over 150 individuals as part of their investigation, gathering testimonies and evidence ahead of submitting a detailed report to the Supreme Court on Monday. This report is expected to shed light on the broader circumstances surrounding the gherao incident and the roles of various parties involved.
The timing of the show-cause notice and the NIA investigation highlights the urgency and seriousness with which authorities are addressing the Kaliachak incident, as legal and administrative proceedings converge in the lead-up to the Supreme Court hearing.
