KOLKATA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches at the residence of former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Saukat Mollah in South 24 Parganas district as part of its investigation into a bomb blast in Bhangar ahead of the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, officials said.An NIA team, accompanied by Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel, arrived at Mollah’s residence in Moukhali, located in the Bhangar area, in the morning and carried out extensive searches.Around 10 vehicles were involved in the operation. NIA teams also searched multiple houses in Bamunia village, where the explosion had occurred.According to an official, Mollah was not present at the residence when the agency team arrived. His son, Imran Mollah, was brought to the premises by investigators and accompanied the NIA team during the search, the official added.The searches are linked to the agency’s probe into a bomb explosion in Bamunia village that left one person dead and several others injured. Following the incident, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) had demanded an NIA investigation into the case.The explosion occurred on March 19 at Dakshin Bamunia village in South 24 Parganas district, where crude bombs were allegedly being manufactured. In the blast one person was killed and three others sustained critical injuries.The agency also searched Saukat Mollah’s office as part of the operation. Saukat Mollah’s wife and daughter reached the residence while the searches were underway.As part of the operation, the NIA also searched Mollah’s office. Saukat Mollah’s wife and daughter reached the residence while the searches were underway.Officials said investigators were examining documents and collecting material relevant to the ongoing investigation.Security was tightened in the area, with local police deployed outside the residence during the operation.The NIA had earlier taken over the investigation into the blast and arrested several individuals, including TMC leader Wahidul Islam, in connection with the case.Searches were also carried out at the residence of Wahidul Islam, while investigators also visited the homes of individuals who had transported the injured to hospital after the blast.“It is aimed at gathering evidence and verifying information connected to the ongoing investigation,” he added.Mollah, a former MLA from the Canning Purba Assembly constituency, won the assembly elections in 2016 and 2021. His security cover was recently withdrawn by the West Bengal government.(With PTI inputs)
