NIA nabs ex-TMC MLA Saokat Molla in high-profile Bhangar blast case

Officials said Molla, who is considered a prime accused in the investigation, was taken into custody as part of an ongoing probe into the incident.

The case relates to a crude bomb explosion that occurred on March 19 in Dakshin Bamunia village in South 24 Parganas district.

According to investigators, explosives were allegedly being prepared at the site when the blast took place.

The incident left one person dead and critically injured three others.

NIA conducts searches at Molla’s residence

The NIA on Thursday carried out searches at multiple locations linked to Molla, including his residence in Jibantala in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district.

According to reports, the operation also covered a TMC party office associated with Molla, the residences of his relatives, and a restaurant owned by his son.

Saokat Molla was not present at his home during the searches, while only his son Imran was there at the time, officials said.

Bhangar blast case probe

The searches were part of an ongoing investigation into the crude bomb explosion in the Dakshin Bamunia area of Bhangar, which occurred shortly before the state Assembly elections.

The blast is believed to have taken place while explosives were being prepared, according to investigators.

Earlier, the NIA had arrested TMC leader Wahidul Islam in connection with the case.