The West Bengal Police arrested Mofakkarul Islam, identified as the mastermind behind the gherao of seven judicial officers in Malda district, at Bagdogra Airport on Friday. Islam, who is an advocate and was a candidate for the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, was apprehended while attempting to board a flight. He is accused of instigating local protests that led to the gherao of judicial officers inside the Kaliachak-2 block office. The police reported that three cases have been filed against him for allegedly inciting locals through speeches prior to the incident. Despite the National Investigation Agency (NIA) taking over the investigation, the West Bengal Police will continue to probe whether the gherao was pre-planned and if more individuals were involved. So far, 35 people, including a candidate from the Indian Secular Front (ISF), have been arrested in connection with the incident.