Kolkata, 05 June (H.S.) : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday declared former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Saokat Molla absconding in connection with the Bhangar blast case in West Bengal, as search operations continued to trace him, a senior official said.

Molla, the former MLA from Canning East constituency, is suspected to be in hiding. According to officials, all three mobile phones used by him are switched off, making it difficult to trace his location.

The NIA has shared all relevant information with the Border Security Force (BSF) and other agencies to ensure that the accused does not cross the international border.

An NIA official said, “Saokat Molla has been declared absconding and all concerned agencies have been alerted. Necessary inputs have been shared to trace and apprehend him.”

Sources said the agency has also received inputs suggesting that Molla may be hiding at a relative’s residence. Multiple teams are conducting searches and verification exercises based on these leads.

There are also unconfirmed reports suggesting that he may have fled to Bangladesh, prompting security agencies to intensify monitoring along border areas. However, officials have not formally confirmed these claims.

On Thursday, the NIA conducted searches at Molla’s residence, party office, and several other locations. During the operation, one more person was arrested, taking the total number of arrests in the case to three.

The arrested individual has been identified as Sainur Molla, the driver of a vehicle allegedly used to transport individuals involved in bomb-making activities.

The case relates to a crude bomb explosion that occurred on March 19 in South Bamunia village of South 24 Parganas district, in which one person was killed and three others were critically injured.

The agency said extensive searches were carried out in madrasa premises, nearby localities, and forested areas, but no trace of Saokat Molla has been found so far.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh