Bomb explosion case: TMC accuses NIA of attacking women during arrest, FIR filed; anti-terror agency denies any malafide

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday categorically denied any malafide in Saturday's arrest in West Bengal's Bhupatinagar in East Medinipur district, as ruling Trinamool Congress accused the anti-terror agency of attacking women during arrest.

The NIA in a statement refuted the allegations of unlawful actions leveled against it and dismissed the entire controversy as unfortunate.

The NIA made it clear that its actions were bonafide, lawful, and legally mandated as part of its ongoing investigation into heinous crime related to the fabrication of crude bombs, leading to an explosion that killed three persons in Naruabila village under Bhupatinagar police station in East Medinipur.

"The NIA reiterated its team had come under attack by an unruly mob when they had gone to conduct searches. The attack was completely unprovoked and uncalled for and attempted to obstruct the NIA from carrying its lawful duty,' The anti-terror agency conducted searching five

locations in the presence of independent witnesses and under security cover provided by the CRPF, in which the lady Constables were there. The arrest was made after legally lawful procedures. "

The aggressive crowd assaulted one NIA personnel, who was taking the arrested accused Manobrata Jana to the local police station to complete the legal formalities. One NIA official sustained injuries and an NIA vehicle was damaged. "

Jana and Ballicharan Maity were arrested for their alleged involvement in the crude bomb explosion case after they skipped several summons, the NIA said.

The agency had moved before a special court on April 3 and the judge opined that the allegation was of a very serious nature.

FIR against NIA at Bhupatinagar police station in Bengal

An FIR of alleged molestation was lodged against the NIA with the Bhupatinagar police station in West Bengal's East Medinipur district by the relatives of the two arrested TMC leaders.

The FIR was lodged under Section 154 IPC, a day after the anti-terror agency conducted raids against alleged accused persons in the December 2022 blast case.

In the December 22, 2022, blast, three people were killed, including a TMC leader, whose house was the epicenter of the blast.

The attack on the NIA happened around 6.10 AM when the anti-terror agency was returning with the accused, Monobrata Jana and Balai Chandra Maity the two local TMC leaders.

The NIA is probing following a Calcutta high court order.

The NIA alleged that eight people, accused of their involvement in the blast, skipped summons twice, and hence the raid was conducted.

The East Midnapore District Police also registered an FIR and launched an investigation into the assault on NIA.

There have been no arrests in the case of the attack on the NIA so far.

Meanwhile, TMC general secretary and party's Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday alleged, "Experience the unfolding ALLIANCE BETWEEN the @NIA_India and @BJP4Bengal, ORCHESTRATING CONSPIRACIES AGAINST TRINAMOOL leaders amid the Model Code of Conduct."

In a post on his X handle, Banerjee said, "While this collusion persists, the ECI stands by, conspicuously silent, neglecting its duty to ensure fair play."