NIA searches former TMC MLA Saukat Mollah’s house in Bengal in Bhangar blast case

The National Investigation Agency on Thursday, June 4, 2026, conducted a search of former TMC MLA Saukat Mollah’s house in South 24 Parganas district in connection with its investigation into the 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 Mr. Mollah’s house at Moukhali in Bhangar district in the morning and carried out extensive searches.

Sources stated that approximately 10 vehicles participated in the operation and that NIA teams also visited many houses in Bamunia village, where the explosion occurred.

According to an official, Mr. Mollah was not at home when the agency team arrived. His son Imran Mollah was brought to the facility by investigators and accompanied the NIA team during the search, the official added.

The searches are linked to the agency’s investigation into a bomb blast in Bhangar’s Bamunia village that killed one person and injured several others. Following the incident, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) had demanded NIA’s investigation into the case.

One person was killed and three others were seriously injured when an alleged crude bomb exploded in Dakshin Bamunia village in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on March 19.

The agency also searched Saukat Mollah’s office as part of the operation. While the searches were continuing, Saukat Mollah’s wife and daughter reached the house.

Authorities said investigators were reviewing documents and gathering information about the explosion.

While security measures were tightened in the area, local police were deployed outside the residence.

NIA had earlier taken over the investigation into the blast and arrested several people, including TMC leader Wahidul Islam, in connection with the incident.

While a search was carried out at Wahidul Islam’s house, investigators also visited the houses of those who took the injured to the hospital after the explosion.

“This aims to gather evidence and verify information in connection with the ongoing investigation,” he added.

Mr Mollah, who represents Canning Purba Assembly constituency and won elections in 2016 and 2021, had his security cover recently withdrawn by the West Bengal Government.