The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday night arrested former Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla, the prime suspect in the Bhangar blast case, from West Bengal‘s South 24 Parganas district, hours after declaring him as ‘absconding’.
What Happened in Bhangar Blast Case?
At least one person was killed, and three others critically injured in the crude bomb explosion at Dakshin Bamunia village in South 24 Parganas district on March 19, while bombs were allegedly being made there.
“We have arrested Saokat Molla as part of the ongoing investigation into the Bhangar bomb blast case. He will be produced before a court, and further legal proceedings will follow,” an NIA official told PTI.
Four Accused Arrested
With the TMC leader’s arrest, the total number of people held in the case has gone up to four.
Molla’s arrest came a day after the central agency carried out extensive searches at his residence and several other locations linked to him across the South 24 Parganas district.
“During the searches, Molla was untraceable,” the official said.
The agency also conducted searches in the Chunakhali area of Basanti late on Thursday night, looking for the former Bhangar legislator, officials said.
Prior to the raids, the NIA had served a summons notice on Molla through his family members, he said. The agency had also questioned Molla’s son.