NIA raids ex-TMC MLA Saokat Molla's South 24 Parganas home in blast probe
Synopsis
The NIA's swoop on former TMC MLA Saokat Molla's Canning home isn't a routine search — it's the probe inching toward a Trinamool strongman close to Abhishek Banerjee. With Molla reportedly fleeing before officers arrived and the South Bamunia blast trail already netting TMC leader Wahidul Islam, the case is fast becoming a political headache for the party in South 24 Parganas.
Key Takeaways
The NIA on 4 June raided former TMC MLA Saokat Molla's residence in Jibantala, Canning , South 24 Parganas.
The probe relates to the South Bamunia bomb blast that killed one and injured several days before the Assembly polls.
Molla was reportedly not at home; his son Imran Molla was questioned.
TMC leader Wahidul Islam was earlier arrested in the same case.
Molla, a two-time MLA from Canning Purba , lost Bhangar in 2026 to ISF's Nawsad Siddiqui .
He is considered close to TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee .
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday, 4 June, raided the residence of former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Saokat Molla in Jibantala village of the Canning block in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, in connection with a pre-poll bomb blast probe. The search, conducted under tight Central forces cover, also extended to the party office adjacent to Molla's home.
How the raid unfolded
NIA officials arrived at the Jibantala premises early in the day and launched simultaneous searches at the residence and the neighbouring TMC office. Molla was reportedly not at home when the team arrived, and sources said he had left the premises before the officers reached. Investigators questioned his son, Imran Molla, while his wife and daughter were also present during the operation.
The South Bamunia blast connection
According to NIA sources, the raid is part of the agency's ongoing investigation into a bomb blast in the South Bamunia area of the same district, which occurred days before the state Assembly polls. The explosion killed one person and injured several others. The Indian Secular Front (ISF), led by Nawsad Siddiqui, had pressed for a central probe, after which the NIA took over the case.
Earlier arrests in the case
The agency has previously arrested several persons in the matter, including TMC leader Wahidul Islam. Thursday's action marks one of the most high-profile searches in the probe so far, given Molla's standing in the party hierarchy in South 24 Parganas.
Who is Saokat Molla
Molla is a former TMC MLA from Canning Purba, having won the seat in 2016 and 2021. In the 2026 Assembly election, he contested from Bhangar but lost to ISF's Nawsad Siddiqui, and has largely stayed out of public view since. He is widely seen as close to TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee and is credited with consolidating the party's organisational footprint in South 24 Parganas. On Wednesday, he was spotted at the Assembly meeting newly recognised Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee.
What happens next
The NIA is expected to file fresh case notes based on material recovered from the searches, with further questioning of family members and associates likely. More details on seizures and follow-up action are awaited.
Point of View
The South Bamunia blast probe is climbing the TMC's organisational ladder in a district the party considers a fortress. The bigger question, often missed in coverage, is procedural: pre-poll political violence in Bengal rarely sees central agency follow-through this sustained, and the ISF's persistence in pushing for an NIA probe has shifted the accountability calculus. Whether the trail stops at local operatives or moves further up will define how this story ages.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the NIA raid Saokat Molla's house?
The NIA raided former TMC MLA Saokat Molla's residence in Jibantala, Canning on 4 June as part of its investigation into the South Bamunia bomb blast that occurred days before the West Bengal Assembly elections. The agency also searched the party office adjacent to his home.
What is the South Bamunia blast case?
It is a pre-poll explosion in the South Bamunia area of South 24 Parganas in which one person was killed and several injured. The NIA took over the probe after the Indian Secular Front, led by Nawsad Siddiqui, demanded a central agency investigation.
Was Saokat Molla present during the raid?
Molla was reportedly not at home when NIA officers arrived, with sources saying he left the premises before the team reached. Investigators questioned his son Imran Molla, while his wife and daughter were also present.
Who else has been arrested in the case so far?
The NIA has previously arrested several persons in connection with the blast, including Trinamool Congress leader Wahidul Islam. Thursday's raid is among the highest-profile actions in the probe so far.
What is Saokat Molla's political background?
Molla is a former two-term TMC MLA from Canning Purba, having won in 2016 and 2021. He lost the 2026 Bhangar contest to ISF's Nawsad Siddiqui and is regarded as a close aide of TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
