‘May not be consistent with assigned role’: Malda ADM asked to show cause within 7 days over attack on judicial officers
The Malda additional district magistrate (law and order) has also been asked why he publicly committed to ‘obtain the reasons for each deletion from the Electoral Roll from the Judiciary or the Commission.’
Days after seven judicial officers engaged in adjudicating electoral rolls in Malda’s Mothabari constituency were gheraoed for more than eight hours, District Magistrate Rajanvir Singh Kapur Saturday served two show-cause notices to Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Shaikh Ansar Ahamad, asking him to reply within seven days.
One of the show-cause letters, a copy of which has been accessed by The Indian Express, states, “Shaikh Ansar Ahamad, IAS, Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order), Malda, was deputed on official Law and Order duty on 31st March 2026 for the purpose of dispersing a public gathering in the district of Malda, pursuant to orders issued by this office.
“It has subsequently come to the notice of this office, through social media and other sources, that while discharging the said duty, you addressed members of the public through a Public Address System and expressed certain concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls – a matter being conducted under the supervision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India… without prior authorisation from the competent authority…”
“It is further reported that during the said address, you made certain commitments to members of the public without the prior knowledge or approval of any higher authority, which may be beyond the scope of authority independently vested in your office; WHEREAS it is also reported that you publicly stated that you would endeavour to have the date of adjudication extended in the matter of the SIR process – a matter that falls within the purview of the Election Commission of India and is subject to the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India – which statement, even if made with good intent, may have created unwarranted expectations among the public and may not be consistent with the role assigned to you,” the letter further mentions.
Ahamad has also been asked why he publicly committed to “obtain the reasons for each deletion from the Electoral Roll from the Judiciary or the Commission.”
“Failure to submit your written explanation within the stipulated period shall be construed as an admission of the lapse attributed to you, and disciplinary proceedings shall be initiated ex parte without further reference to you,” the district magistrate stated.
In the wake of the Mothabari incident, the district administration has already transferred two sector magistrates and two booth-level officers.
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A team of 40 National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials has also arrived in Malda to investigate the harassment of seven judicial officers.
The Election Commission of India transferred the probe to the NIA after the Supreme Court slammed the West Bengal government for the Malda violence. The top court had directed CBI or NIA to investigate the incident.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that the Malda violence was a “planned act” by a BJP-AIMIM-Congress nexus to influence the forthcoming Assembly polls in the state.
Reacting to the charge, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya remarked, “MIM (The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) is Trinamool, and Trinamool is MIM. Humayun is Trinamool, and Trinamool is Humayun. Everything has merged into one. Multiple identities in a single body – truly ‘wonderful’.”
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
