The former TMC legislator was arrested by the NIA a day after extensive raids linked to the investigation into the deadly Bhangar bomb blast
Former Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday night in connection with the Bhangar bomb blast case in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district.
The arrest came just hours after the central agency declared Molla absconding as part of its ongoing investigation into the March 19 explosion at Dakshin Bamunia village, where crude bombs were allegedly being manufactured. The blast killed one person and left three others critically injured.
According to NIA officials, Molla was taken into custody from South 24 Parganas and will be produced before a court as further legal proceedings continue.
With his arrest, the total number of accused apprehended in the case has risen to four.
Officials said Molla was taken to the NIA office for questioning after being detained. The individual riding the motorcycle on which Molla was travelling as a pillion passenger was also taken into custody.
The development follows extensive searches conducted by the NIA on Thursday at Molla’s residence and several other locations linked to him in South 24 Parganas. Raids were carried out in Moukhali, Baruipur and Sonarpur as investigators pursued leads connected to the case.
A day earlier, the agency had arrested the driver of a vehicle allegedly used to transport individuals involved in bomb-making activities.
Molla, who represented the Canning Purba Assembly constituency and won elections in both 2016 and 2021, had recently seen his security cover withdrawn by the state government.
Investigators had previously issued a summons notice to Molla through his family members and had also questioned his son as part of the probe.
The NIA continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blast and the alleged network involved in the manufacture and transport of crude explosives.
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