Explosion case: NIA team searches Saokat, son properties

Kolkata: The NIA on Thursday raided properties linked to former Canning East MLA Saokat Molla in connection with an explosion probe. Days before the assembly elections, an explosion during bomb-making killed one in Bhangar's Bamunia.The team of six NIA officers first reached Molla's house at North Moukhali and with Molla or his family absent, they questioned two aides, and tracing his son Imran Molla's phone, got him from a neighbouring house. Officers searched the residence in his presence. Molla's daughter Shabana and wife Sayra Banu Begum arrived as well.The team later accompanied Imran to his cafe on the Matla River and then to a Sonarpur flat for further searches. Molla's phone remained switched off. Searches were also conducted in Bamunia village, and a driver was arrested.On March 18, Trinamool's Ahidul Islam brought individuals from Haroa, Deganga, and Jibantala to make bombs, NIA sources said. After Deganga's Masiur Kazi was killed, his body was transported in an ambulance and dumped in Haroa. Cases were registered at Bijoyganj Bazar and Haroa police stations before the NIA took over.