The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out searches and questioning at the residence of former Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla in the South Bamunia area of Bhangar, West Bengal. This operation is part of the agency's probe into a bomb blast that occurred shortly before the West Bengal assembly elections, which resulted in one fatality.
The investigation was transferred to the NIA following demands for a central inquiry into the explosion. Since taking over the case, the NIA has arrested several individuals, including TMC leader Wahidul Islam.
A special NIA team arrived at Molla's residence to gather information and examine potential links to the case. During the operation, Molla's wife and daughter were seen entering the premises.
Separately, on April 27, the NIA took over an investigation into the recovery of crude bombs in West Bengal after reviewing the matter from a possible terror angle. The agency registered a fresh FIR, numbered RC-25/2026/NIA/DLI, following directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In a statement, the NIA said: "In pursuance of the MHA order, the NIA has taken over and registered a case related to the recovery of crude bombs in West Bengal. The case pertains to the recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot on April 25, thereby endangering human life and property. The NIA registered the case on April 26."
The original case, registered as FIR No. 62/2026 on April 25 at Uttar Kashipur Police Station under the Bhangar division, invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. The complaint was filed after police received information about the storage of crude bombs and materials allegedly intended for their manufacture.
Acting on the tip-off, police recovered 79 round-shaped objects suspected to be crude bombs, tied with jute ropes, along with other materials considered incriminating. Investigators said the explosives had been hidden inside an abandoned house near a burial ground in Majherhat's Poilepara locality under Uttar Kashipur police station in South 24 Parganas district.
The NIA's ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy behind the bomb blast and the crude bomb recoveries, with the agency continuing to question suspects and gather evidence.
