Has NIA Made Another Arrest in the Bengal BJP Leader Attack Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- NIA arrests another suspect in the BJP leader attack case.
- Investigations reveal a criminal conspiracy behind the assault.
- Total of 17 individuals arrested, with ongoing inquiries.
- Concerns over public safety led to the transfer of the case to the NIA.
- The attack involved explosives and firearms.
Kolkata, May 28 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced on Wednesday the capture of an absconding suspect in a case linked to the assault on BJP leader Priyangu Pandey's convoy in Bhatpara, located in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, which occurred in August of the previous year.
The apprehended individual has been named Mohit Mahato, also known as Shail.
As per a press release from the NIA, Mahato was arrested in Bengaluru following extensive efforts and based on a mix of technical and human intelligence inputs.
“During the arrest, the NIA team confiscated several incriminating documents along with a mobile phone, which is currently being analyzed,” the statement from the NIA detailed.
With Mahato's arrest, who hails from Bhatpara, the total number of apprehended suspects in this case has reached 17. The attack on Pandey and his team occurred while they were en route to visit a former BJP Lok Sabha member from Barrackpore constituency, Arjun Singh, on August 28, 2024.
The assailants targeted the convoy with explosives and firearms.
“While the state police quickly made 12 arrests following the attack, the NIA has since apprehended 5 additional suspects,” the NIA statement noted.
The ongoing investigation by the NIA has unearthed a criminal conspiracy behind the assault, which is elaborated in the charge sheet.
Post-attack, Pandey accused members of the ruling Trinamool Congress of orchestrating the premeditated attack against him.
In light of the use of explosives and firearms during the incident, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs mandated the transfer of the case from the West Bengal police to the NIA, citing public safety concerns.
The NIA subsequently initiated its investigation by filing a first information report on the matter.