NIA conducts searches, arrests 3rd accused in Bhangar bomb blast case  

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted extensive searches in connection with the Bhangar bomb blast case in West Bengal, and arrested one more accused into connection with the matter, central probe agency officials said.

With the arrest of Sainur Molla, the driver of the Scorpio car used to transport the bomb makers who were killed and injured in the explosion, the total arrests in the case have gone up to three, NIA officials said on Thursday in a statement.

The explosion had taken place while crude bombs were being manufactured by the accused and their aides ahead of the recent West Bengal Assembly elections.

A total of eight locations, including the residence and suspected hideouts of former Trinamool Congress MLA and absconder Saokat Molla -- a prime suspect and conspirator in the case -- were searched as part of Thursday's operations.

Premises linked with other accused and suspects in the case were also subjected to extensive searches.

The searches led to the recovery and seizure of several incriminating materials, documents, electronic devices and digital evidence, which have been sent for forensic examination.

NIA investigations have revealed that, after the blast, it was accused Sainur Molla who had driven the Scorpio vehicle used to transport the one person killed in the explosion as well as the injured several others.

He had driven the deceased and the injured first to a local hospital and then to another location before handing them over to an ambulance.

The ambulance driver, already arrested in the case, is currently in judicial custody.

The NIA, which took over the case on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is examining the role of the accused in the larger conspiracy surrounding the incident.