KOLKATA: The NIA officers who raided the house of Trinamool Congress leaders and arrested two people have been booked by the Bengal Police on a sexual assault complaint. The case was registered within hours of a mob attacking the NIA team. Trinamool activists Balai Charan Maity and Manobrata Jana were arrested by the NIA on Saturday in connection with the 2022 Bhupati Nagar blasts. The NIA team was then attacked by a mob. Two officers were injured.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who severely criticized the action of the NIA, asked why the midnight raid was conducted and responded that the mob attacked because women were harassed. Later, on the complaint of Jana's wife and family members, a case was registered against the NIA officials on charges of sexual assault and trespassing. The complaint is that the NIA officers broke the door of the house and entered and harassed the women. Meanwhile, the NIA also lodged a complaint with the police about the mob attack.

Last January, a mob had attacked the ED officials who raided Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan's house in a corruption case. The Central Army personnel who were with the ED team were also attacked that day.

"Attack on the central agency is like an attack on the Constitution of India. Tormenting of NIA officials for discharging their duties is a sign of the breakdown of constitutional institutions.

- Samik Bhattacharya, BJP leader

"Bengal government is creating outrage. It is unfortunate that no one who assaulted the officers was arrested and a case was filed against the officers instead.

-Sujan Chakraborty, CPM leader