NIA arrests TMC leaders Sariul and Yusuf Sheikh for their direct involvement in Malda violence case, details
According to the NIA, both leaders were directly involved in the demonstrations that led to the blockade of the judicial officers’ convoy in Mothabari and the obstruction of National Highway 12 near Sujapur Hospital.
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On May 11, 2026, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two Trinamool Congress leaders, Kaliachak-1 block president Sariul Sheikh and former Sujapur region president Yusuf Sheikh, in the Malda violence case linked to the gherao and harassment of seven judicial officers in Mothabari in April.
It is crucial to note that ahead of the counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections, the NIA had issued notices to nine individuals, including Sujapur candidate Sabina Yasmin’s election agent Abdur Rahman, block president Sariul Sheikh, former food superintendent Haji Ketabuddin Sheikh, and Yusuf Sheikh. Initially, several of those summoned were reluctant to appear before the agency, citing election-related engagements, but later complied.
Another key accused arrested in the case is Manjir, alias Bhola Sheikh, a resident of Halpara under Sujapur gram panchayat. The NIA is now probing whether there was a larger conspiracy behind the coordinated blockades at five different points along the national highway.
As per the initial reports, the authorities arrested the accused individuals after conducting prolonged interrogation on May 8, 2026.
It is crucial to note that ahead of the counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections, the NIA had issued notices to nine individuals, including Sujapur candidate Sabina Yasmin’s election agent Abdur Rahman, block president Sariul Sheikh, former food superintendent Haji Ketabuddin Sheikh, and Yusuf Sheikh. Initially, several of those summoned were reluctant to appear before the agency, citing election-related engagements, but later complied.
During the questioning, the NIA seized the mobile phones of Sariul and Yusuf. The arrested leaders were later taken to Kolkata. Sariul Sheikh, also referred to in some reports as Sadiul Sheikh, is a resident of Sultanganj under Kaliachak police station limits and reportedly owns a nursing home located beside Sujapur Hospital, near the site where the judicial officers’ vehicles were stopped during the protests.
According to the NIA, both leaders were directly involved in the demonstrations that led to the blockade of the judicial officers’ convoy in Mothabari and the obstruction of National Highway 12 near Sujapur Hospital. The agency stated that the arrests are connected to the alleged detention of judicial officers inside the BDO office in Mothabari on 1st April, along with coordinated highway blockades at Sujapur and the Chowringhee crossing later that night.
Another key accused arrested in the case is Manjir, alias Bhola Sheikh, a resident of Halpara under Sujapur gram panchayat. The NIA is now probing whether there was a larger conspiracy behind the coordinated blockades at five different points along the national highway.