Bhangar blast case: Ex-TMC MLA Saokat Molla gets 14-day NIA custody
Synopsis
A former TMC legislator arrested after reportedly attempting to flee to Bangladesh is now in NIA custody for 14 days over a bomb blast linked to West Bengal's Assembly elections. His bail was rejected, with the agency alleging he coordinated with other accused after the blast — and forensic scrutiny of his seized devices could be the case's turning point.
Key Takeaways
Former TMC legislator Saokat Molla was remanded to 14 days of NIA custody by a special court in Kolkata on 6 June .
He is connected to a bomb blast at Bhangar , South 24 Parganas , which occurred before the West Bengal Assembly elections .
A mobile phone and pen drive were recovered from his possession; the court ordered forensic examination of both.
Molla allegedly attempted to flee to Bangladesh via coastal borders before being arrested at Baruipur .
His bail plea was rejected ; the NIA argued he contacted other accused and gave instructions after the blast.
He will next be produced before the NIA court on 19 June .
Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Saokat Molla was remanded to 14 days of NIA custody by a special court in Kolkata on Saturday, 6 June, in connection with a bomb blast at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, which occurred ahead of the recently concluded Assembly elections. He is scheduled to be produced before the NIA court again on 19 June.
Key Developments
Following his arrest on Friday night, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) recovered a mobile phone and a pen drive from Molla's possession. The special court additionally granted the NIA's application for forensic examination of both devices. The court also extended the forensic examination order to cover electronic devices seized from three other accused arrested by the agency earlier in the same case — two of whom are currently in jail custody, with the third remaining in NIA custody.
Bail Plea Rejected
After being produced before the court, Molla's counsel filed a bail plea, arguing that his client had previously received Z-category security from the state government, making his alleged involvement implausible. The NIA counsel strongly opposed bail, contending that as a highly influential former MLA in the region, Molla posed a significant risk of tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses if released. The NIA further argued that following the blast, Molla had allegedly contacted the other accused persons regularly and provided them with instructions. The court accepted the NIA's submissions and denied bail.
Attempted Flight and Arrest
On Friday, Molla reportedly attempted to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh through coastal border areas in South 24 Parganas. According to reports, he was spotted and chased by local villagers near the border-adjacent Chunakhali area, though he managed to escape at that point. NIA teams subsequently maintained close surveillance across the region. As Molla was allegedly making his way to the NIA's office at New Town on the northern outskirts of Kolkata to surrender voluntarily, he was intercepted and arrested from an undisclosed location in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas.
Background
The Bhangar bomb blast case has drawn significant attention given its alleged links to political violence in the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly polls. The NIA had already arrested three individuals in connection with the incident before Molla's arrest. This is the latest in a series of NIA interventions in West Bengal cases involving explosive devices and politically connected accused, reflecting the agency's escalating scrutiny of poll-linked violence in the state.
What Happens Next
Molla will remain in NIA custody for interrogation until 19 June, when he will be produced before the special court again. The forensic analysis of the recovered devices is expected to be a key element of the investigation going forward. Further arrests in the case cannot be ruled out, according to sources familiar with the probe.
Point of View
But for the manner of his apprehension — a reported flight toward Bangladesh, followed by interception mid-surrender. The NIA's argument that a former MLA with Z-category protection was simultaneously coordinating with blast accused points to a broader pattern the agency has been building: that political cover in West Bengal has historically shielded those linked to poll violence. The forensic examination of his devices will be critical — if call records corroborate the NIA's post-blast coordination claim, the case against him strengthens considerably. What mainstream coverage underplays is that three accused were already in custody before Molla's arrest, suggesting the NIA had been methodically working up the chain before moving against the highest-profile name.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Saokat Molla and why was he arrested?
Saokat Molla is a former Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator from West Bengal who was arrested by the NIA in connection with a bomb blast at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas, which occurred before the recent Assembly elections. He was remanded to 14 days of NIA custody on 6 June by a special court in Kolkata.
What evidence did the NIA recover from Saokat Molla?
After his arrest on Friday night, the NIA recovered a mobile phone and a pen drive from Molla's possession. The special court granted the agency's application for forensic examination of both items.
Why was Saokat Molla's bail plea rejected?
The court rejected Molla's bail plea after the NIA argued that, as a highly influential former MLA, he posed a serious risk of tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses. The agency also alleged that he had contacted other accused persons and given them instructions after the blast.
Did Saokat Molla attempt to flee before his arrest?
According to reports, Molla attempted to cross into Bangladesh through coastal border areas in South 24 Parganas on Friday. He was spotted and chased by local villagers near Chunakhali but escaped. He was subsequently arrested by NIA teams at Baruipur while reportedly heading to the agency's New Town office to surrender.
What happens next in the Bhangar bomb blast case?
Molla will remain in NIA custody until 19 June, when he will be produced before the special NIA court again. Forensic analysis of his seized devices and those of three previously arrested accused is expected to shape the next phase of the investigation.
