Crime
CAPF-Assisted Searches Carried Out at Former Legislator’s Residence
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out searches at the residence of former TMC MLA Saukat Mollah in South 24 Parganas district as part of its investigation into a bomb blast that occurred in Bhangar ahead of the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches at the residence of former TMC legislator Saukat Mollah in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district in connection with its investigation into a bomb blast in Bhangar.
According to officials, an NIA team, accompanied by personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), reached Mollah’s residence at Moukhali in the Bhangar area during the morning and carried out extensive searches.
Sources indicated that nearly 10 vehicles were involved in the operation, highlighting the scale of the search exercise. Investigators reportedly examined documents and other materials that could be relevant to the ongoing probe.
Apart from Mollah’s residence, NIA teams also conducted searches at multiple locations in Bamunia village, the site where the explosion had occurred before the recently concluded Assembly elections.
The agency is investigating the circumstances surrounding the blast and is examining possible links, if any, between individuals, groups, and the incident. Officials have not yet disclosed details regarding any recoveries made during the searches.
The bomb blast in Bhangar had drawn significant attention during the election period, prompting a detailed investigation by central agencies. The NIA has been pursuing multiple leads to establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible.
Neither the NIA nor Mollah has issued a detailed public statement regarding the latest searches. The investigation remains ongoing, and further action is expected based on the evidence collected during the operation.
The development comes amid continued scrutiny of incidents of political violence and security-related concerns in parts of West Bengal during the election season.