KOLKATA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out searches at the residence of former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and influential Bhangar leader Saokat Molla in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district as part of its investigation into the high-profile Bhangar blast case. The raid marks a significant development in a case that has attracted political attention ahead of the state’s Assembly elections.
According to officials, NIA teams searched Molla’s residence in the South Bamunia area of Bhangar and questioned him regarding the explosion that occurred earlier this year. Investigators are attempting to establish the circumstances surrounding the blast, the source of the explosives, and whether a wider conspiracy was involved.
The blast took place in March 2026 in the South Bamunia village area of Bhangar. Initial reports indicated that explosives stored inside a structure detonated, leading to the death of one person and leaving several others injured. The incident triggered concerns about the presence of crude bombs and explosives in the politically sensitive region.
Following the explosion, local police launched an investigation and collected forensic evidence from the site. However, the seriousness of the case and allegations regarding the stockpiling of explosives prompted the Union Home Ministry to transfer the probe to the NIA. The central agency subsequently took charge of the investigation to examine possible criminal networks and the larger conspiracy behind the blast.
The Bhangar region has witnessed repeated political tensions and clashes over the years, often involving rival political groups. The March blast intensified concerns over violence in the area, especially as the state headed toward a crucial electoral season. Questions were raised about how explosives were allegedly stored despite law enforcement surveillance and security measures.
In April, the NIA arrested one of the key accused in the case, identified as Ahidul Islam Molla. Investigators alleged that he was among the principal suspects linked to the explosion. The arrest came after the agency gathered evidence during its inquiry into the incident. Another accused had earlier been arrested by state police before the case was handed over to the NIA.
The latest searches at Saokat Molla’s residence are being viewed as part of the agency’s effort to trace possible links between individuals connected to the blast and the network responsible for storing or manufacturing explosives. Officials have not publicly disclosed whether any incriminating material was recovered during the searches.
TMC leaders have maintained that the party has no connection with any illegal activity and have questioned attempts to draw political conclusions from the investigation. Opposition parties, meanwhile, have demanded a thorough probe and accountability for those responsible for the blast. Political reactions are expected to intensify as the investigation progresses.
The NIA has indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and that further questioning, searches and arrests cannot be ruled out. The agency is continuing to examine forensic evidence, witness statements and digital records to determine the full sequence of events that led to the deadly explosion in Bhangar.
With the probe now reaching prominent political figures, the Bhangar blast case has become one of the most closely watched investigations in West Bengal, carrying both legal and political implications as authorities seek to uncover the truth behind the incident.
