A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Saturday remanded former Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla to 14 days of NIA custody in connection with the Bhangar bomb blast of West Bengal, which claimed the life of a woman and left several others injured.
The NIA informed the court that Molla, a former MLA from Canning Purba, is a key accused and the principal conspirator in the case arising out of the blast that took place in the Bhangar area of South 24 Parganas district on March 19 this year.
Allowing the agency’s remand application, the court directed that Molla remain in NIA custody until June 19. The court also permitted the forensic examination of a mobile phone and a pen drive recovered from him following his arrest on Friday night.
According to the NIA, the investigation has revealed that Molla was allegedly directing other accused persons involved in the incident. The agency further claimed to have gathered material indicating that instructions were issued to destroy evidence after the explosion.
During the remand proceedings, the NIA submitted that four persons have been arrested so far in connection with the case. The court additionally allowed forensic examination of electronic devices recovered from the other accused individuals. The agency informed the court that forensic analysis of the devices was necessary to ascertain the nature of communications, identify possible co-conspirators and uncover the larger conspiracy allegedly linked to the blast.
Seeking custodial interrogation, the NIA argued that Molla is an influential political figure and that his release at this stage could adversely affect the ongoing investigation. The agency expressed apprehension that witnesses could be influenced and evidence could be tampered with if he were granted bail.
Opposing the NIA’s plea, counsel appearing for Molla sought his release on bail. The defence contended that Molla was under Z-plus security protection and therefore could not have been involved in the alleged criminal activities attributed to him.
The case relates to a blast that occurred on March 19 in the Bamunia area of Chaltaberia in Bhangar. Investigators alleged that the explosion occurred during the manufacture of crude bombs. Police subsequently recovered more than 75 crude bombs and other explosive materials from the site. The explosives were allegedly stored in an abandoned house near a burial ground in Majerhat village.
An FIR was initially registered at Uttar Kashipur Police Station under the Bhangar Division of Kolkata Police. The investigation was later transferred to the NIA pursuant to directions issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
As part of the investigation, multiple NIA teams conducted coordinated search operations across several locations on Thursday with assistance from CRPF personnel. Searches were conducted at Molla’s residence, party office and other locations linked to the investigation. Molla was not present during the searches and was arrested the following day.
The agency has maintained before the court that Molla played a central role in the conspiracy surrounding the blast and that further custodial interrogation is necessary to uncover the larger conspiracy, identify additional accused persons and collect electronic and forensic evidence relevant to the investigation.
Meanwhile, Molla’s family has claimed that he voluntarily surrendered before the NIA and was not apprehended by the agency.
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