NIA searches former TMC MLA Saokat Molla's residence in bomb blast probe

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches and questioning at the residence of former Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla in the South Bamunia area of Bhangar as part of its probe into a bomb blast that took place shortly before the West Bengal assembly elections and claimed one life. The investigation was transferred to the NIA following demands for a central inquiry into the explosion. Since assuming charge of the case, the agency has arrested several people, including TMC leader Wahidul Islam. Officials from a special NIA team arrived at Molla's residence to gather information and examine possible links to the case. During the operation, Molla's wife and daughter were seen entering the premises. Separately, the NIA had on April 27 taken over an investigation into the recovery of crude bombs in West Bengal after examining the matter from a possible terror angle. The agency registered a fresh FIR, numbered RC-25/2026/NIA/DLI, after receiving directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. "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," NIA said on Monday. 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.