NIA arrests former TMC MLA Saokat Molla in Bhangar bomb blast case
Synopsis
A former TMC legislator arrested mid-surrender, a driver who moved blast victims, and a trail of crude bombs made ahead of elections — the NIA's Bhangar probe is pulling in political figures at the heart of West Bengal's pre-poll violence. With forensic evidence now in the lab and three arrests logged, the case is far from closed.
Key Takeaways
The NIA arrested former TMC legislator Saokat Molla on 5 June in the Bhangar bomb blast case , South 24 Parganas .
Molla had allegedly attempted to flee to Bangladesh via coastal borders before being nabbed at Baruipur .
Sainur Molla , driver of the Scorpio used to transport blast victims, was also arrested, taking total arrests to three .
The blast occurred during alleged crude bomb manufacturing ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections .
Seized materials including documents, electronic devices, and digital evidence have been sent for forensic examination .
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday, 5 June arrested former Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Saokat Molla in connection with the Bhangar bomb blast case in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. Molla was apprehended from an undisclosed location in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, as he was reportedly making his way to the NIA's office at New Town, on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, to voluntarily surrender.
Attempted Flight and Interception
A day earlier, on Thursday, Saokat Molla had allegedly attempted to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh through coastal borders in South 24 Parganas. He was spotted and chased by local villagers near the border-adjacent Chunakhali area, though he managed to escape at that point. State and central security forces subsequently blocked all routes leading to the coastal border in the district, while NIA personnel maintained close surveillance across related areas.
Earlier Arrests and Court Proceedings
Earlier on the same day, several close associates of Molla were produced before a lower court in Kolkata. The NIA also arrested Sainur Molla, identified as the driver of the Scorpio vehicle used to transport bomb makers who were killed and injured in the explosion. With Sainur Molla's arrest, the total number of arrests in the case rose to three, according to an NIA statement issued on Thursday.
What the Blast Was About
The explosion occurred while crude bombs were reportedly being manufactured by the accused and their associates in the lead-up to the recent West Bengal Assembly elections. Investigations revealed that after the blast, Sainur Molla drove the Scorpio to transport one person killed in the explosion, along with several injured individuals. The NIA conducted extensive searches linked to the case, recovering incriminating materials, documents, electronic devices, and digital evidence, all of which have been sent for forensic examination.
Significance of the Arrest
The arrest of a former elected legislator in a bomb-making case tied to election violence marks a significant escalation in the NIA's probe into political violence in West Bengal. Bhangar, a politically sensitive area in South 24 Parganas, has a documented history of electoral unrest. This is the latest in a series of NIA interventions in West Bengal cases involving alleged pre-poll violence. The forensic analysis of seized materials is expected to shape the next phase of the investigation.
Point of View
Which, if substantiated, raises questions about foreknowledge of imminent arrest and possible cross-border networks. West Bengal's pre-poll violence has long been documented but rarely prosecuted at the legislator level. Whether this arrest translates into a conviction will depend heavily on the forensic evidence now under examination — and on whether associated witnesses hold firm under political pressure in a state where such cases have historically stalled.
NationPress
21 Jul 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. He was arrested by the NIA on 5 June in connection with the Bhangar bomb blast case in South 24 Parganas, which involved the alleged manufacture of crude bombs ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Where was Saokat Molla arrested?
He was arrested from an undisclosed location in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, reportedly while en route to the NIA office at New Town, Kolkata, to surrender voluntarily.
What is the Bhangar bomb blast case?
The Bhangar bomb blast case involves an explosion that occurred while crude bombs were allegedly being manufactured by accused persons and their associates ahead of the recent West Bengal Assembly elections. The NIA has been investigating the incident, which resulted in fatalities and injuries.
How many people have been arrested in the case so far?
As of 5 June, three people have been arrested in the case — including former TMC MLA Saokat Molla and Sainur Molla, the driver of the Scorpio vehicle used to transport those killed and injured in the blast.
What evidence has the NIA recovered?
NIA searches linked to the Bhangar blast case led to the seizure of incriminating materials, documents, electronic devices, and digital evidence. All recovered items have been sent for forensic examination to aid further investigation.
