Kolkata, April 12: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) detained seven individuals, including Congress candidate Sayem Chowdhury, who is contesting the West Bengal elections, and arrested a Panchayat member from the Indian Secular Front (ISF) in connection with the gherao of judicial officers in Malda.

The incident occurred during a local protest over the deletion of names in the Statewide Integrated Register (SIR) exercise, an official confirmed.

Sayem Chowdhury, the Congress candidate from Mothabari, was apprehended alongside several of his associates while campaigning in Alinagar Panchayat. The NIA, under the directive of the Election Commission and following a Supreme Court order, has been tasked with investigating the April 1 gherao incident, which led to strong criticism of the West Bengal administration.