Ex-Cong MLA's Vehicle Found with Expired Firearm and Live Ammunition in Bengal
Synopsis
In a significant pre-election incident, a firearm with an expired license was found in a former Congress MLA's vehicle in West Bengal, leading to the arrest of six individuals. This raises critical questions ahead of the Assembly elections.
Key Takeaways
A firearm with an expired licence was found in a vehicle linked to a former Congress MLA.
Six individuals were arrested due to the incident.
The firearm was not registered to any of the occupants.
Routine police checks are intensified ahead of the Assembly elections.
Legal actions have commenced under the Arms Act.
Kolkata, March 22 (NationPress) In a prelude to the Assembly elections, a firearm with an expired licence and live ammunition were discovered in the vehicle of a former Congress MLA in the Malda district of West Bengal. The police have apprehended six individuals linked to this incident.
The six detainees were presented before the Malda District Court on Sunday, where they were placed in judicial custody for a period of 14 days.
As the Assembly election timeline has been revealed and the Model Code of Conduct is now active, there has been an increase in surveillance teams and checkpoints throughout the district. Routine inspections were underway at Chechumore in Old Malda on Saturday morning.
At approximately 11 a.m., a vehicle displaying a Congress party flag was stopped and searched. A 7 mm pistol, along with a magazine and eight rounds of live cartridges, were confiscated from the dashboard compartment.
Initial interrogations revealed that the firearm was licensed to Md. Mottakin Alam, the former Congress MLA from the Manikchak constituency. Although a photocopy of the licence was provided, police confirmed that it had expired on September 20, 2022.
Since the firearm was not registered in the name of any of the individuals in the vehicle, all six were arrested.
The detained individuals have been identified as Hanjala Sheikh, Mohammad Asif Iqbal, Mohammad Nurul, Mohammad Tasem Ali, Wasim Akhtar, and Rabiul Islam, all hailing from the Kamalabari area of English Bazar. A case has been filed under the Arms Act.
District Congress leader Mantu Ghosh stated: “We learned of the incident on Saturday. A firearm was seized from a vehicle associated with Mottakin Alam, who is the Vice-President of the Malda District Congress and a former MLA from Manikchak constituency. This weapon is indeed a legitimate firearm belonging to him.”
Mottakin Alam commented to a group of reporters: “That is my licensed firearm. I carry it daily. Just the other day, after returning home, I neglected to remove the weapon from the car. The next day, on Eid, my family used the car for a drive, and during this outing, the police found the firearm during a checkpoint inspection.”
An official from the Malda Police remarked: “On Saturday, a firearm was seized during a standard checkpoint inspection. Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the matter, and an investigation is currently in progress.”
Point of View
Particularly regarding firearms, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in political practices.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was found in the ex-MLA's vehicle?
Authorities recovered a firearm with an expired license and live cartridges from the vehicle of a former Congress MLA.
How many individuals were arrested?
Six individuals were arrested in connection with the incident.
What is the status of the firearm's license?
The firearm's license had expired on September 20, 2022.
What action was taken against the arrested individuals?
The arrested individuals were remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
What law was cited in the case?
A case has been registered under the Arms Act.
