The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has expanded its probe into the Bhupatinagar blast case by including two additional Trinamool Congress local leaders in a recent supplementary charge sheet filed at a special NIA court in Kolkata.
The explosion, which occurred in December 2022 in East Midnapore District of West Bengal, resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals.
Manab Kumar Parua, identified as the public works executive officer in East Midnapore District, and Nabakumar Panda, the party’s chief in Patashpur, are the latest additions to the charge sheet, bringing the total number of accused to eight.
Among those named alongside Parua and Panda are local Trinamool Congress leaders Panchanan Gharai, Manobrata Jana, and Balai Charan Maity from East Midnapore District.
The charge sheet also lists the three deceased individuals, Raj Kumar Manna, Biswajit Gayen, and Buddhadeb Manna. Authorities discovered their affiliation with the Trinamool Congress in East Midnapore.
The investigation revealed their alleged involvement in a criminal conspiracy linked to the bomb blast, leading to charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Explosive Substances Act.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, tensions escalated when NIA personnel, accompanied by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), faced an attack by local Trinamool Congress activists while returning to Kolkata after arresting Maity and Jana.
The incident resulted in damage to the NIA vehicle’s windscreen and injuries to an officer.
Initially handled by the West Bengal Police, the case was later transferred to the NIA following a directive from the Calcutta High Court on 4 June 2023, citing the need for a specialized investigation into the matter.
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