The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested former TMC MLA Saokat Mollah from Sonarpur, near Kolkata, in connection with a bomb blast in Bhangar prior to the West Bengal assembly elections. Mollah, who previously represented Canning Purba, lost his election bid in Bhangar this year. The NIA, supported by the Central Armed Police Force, had previously searched Mollah's residence and a cafe owned by his son, with locals reportedly alleging illegal land acquisition by the former MLA. This arrest occurs amidst a wider investigation into TMC leaders accused of criminal activities, particularly in the South 24 Parganas district, a region that saw increased BJP success in the recent elections.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested former TMC MLA Saokat Mollah from Sonarpur, near Kolkata, in connection with a bomb blast in Bhangar prior to the West Bengal assembly elections. Mollah, who previously represented Canning Purba, lost his election bid in Bhangar this year. The NIA, supported by the Central Armed Police Force, had previously searched Mollah's residence and a cafe owned by his son, with locals reportedly alleging illegal land acquisition by the former MLA. This arrest occurs amidst a wider investigation into TMC leaders accused of criminal activities, particularly in the South 24 Parganas district, a region that saw increased BJP success in the recent elections.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested former TMC MLA Saokat Mollah from Sonarpur, near Kolkata, in connection with a bomb blast in Bhangar prior to the West Bengal assembly elections. Mollah, who previously represented Canning Purba, lost his election bid in Bhangar this year. The NIA, supported by the Central Armed Police Force, had previously searched Mollah's residence and a cafe owned by his son, with locals reportedly alleging illegal land acquisition by the former MLA. This arrest occurs amidst a wider investigation into TMC leaders accused of criminal activities, particularly in the South 24 Parganas district, a region that saw increased BJP success in the recent elections.

In a breakthrough for National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested former TMC MLA Saokat Mollah on Friday from Kamalgachi area in Sonarpur, which is located in the southern fringes of Kolkata. Mollah was arrested in connection with a bomb blast that occurred in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district ahead of recently concluded West Bengal assembly polls.

Mollah had won the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections from Canning Purba constituency but lost this year when he contested from another constituency, Bhangar.

The investigating agency had conducted searches along with Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) on Thursday at Mollah’s residence in Maukhali in the same district. He was not home when the team arrived. Mollah’s wife and two sons were questioned briefly and the team also visited a cafe owned by his son, Imran. Locals allege that Mollah had occupied land and properties illegally over the years.

The team had also conducted an investigation at Bamuria village, which was the location of the bomb blast.

Mollah’s arrest comes amid a crackdown by state and central investigating agencies on TMC leaders accused of extortion and other illegal activities, which have drawn public ire.

South 24 Parganas district was a TMC stronghold until many seats went to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recent elections. Falta in the same district saw repolls last month, with the saffron party winning and TMC candidate Jahangir Khan withdrawing his nomination.