West Bengal: NIA files 2nd supplementary chargesheet in explosive seizure case

On Wednesday, October 4, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) submitted its second supplemental chargesheet in the June 2022 West Bengal case involving the discovery of a sizable stash of explosives and electric detonators. Following this, there were nine accusers in total who had charge sheets filed against them. Manoj Ghosh and Islam Chowdhury, both of West Bengal, have been named as the accused people who were charged on Wednesday under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Explosive Substance Act, and the Arms Act. According to the NIA, the primary charge sheet mentioned five suspects, while the first supplementary charge sheet, which was filed between April and June of this year, named two suspects. According to NIA investigations, accused Manoj Ghosh, owner of Rajlaxmi Stone Works in Birbhum district, West Bengal, illegally purchased explosives from accused Rintu Sk for his illegal stone mining and stored them close to a public area, endangering the lives and property of the general public. These explosives included electric detonators, ammonium nitrate, gelatine sticks, and other types. He was also discovered to be in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, according to an NIA press release. Investigations also showed that the accused, Islam Chowdhury, was aware of the illegal explosives trade. He formed a close alliance with the other accused, Merajuddin Ali Khan and Mir Md. Nuruzzaman, and they conspired to carry out the illegal explosives supply, according to the press release. Following the recovery of 81,000 electric detonators from a vehicle in the Md. Bazar Police Station area of Birbhum by a team of STF, West Bengal, the complaint was filed in September 2022. The vehicle’s driver, Ashish Keora, was also arrested, and subsequent searches led to the seizure of another 2,525 electric detonators, 27,000 kg of ammonium nitrate, and 1,625 kg of gelatin sticks from an illegal godown, according to an NIA release. Additionally, it stated that the records collected revealed that a total of 86,700 kg of gelatin sticks, 4,99,222 electric detonators, and 204 Nonels (large electronic detonators) had been sent to various illicit miners in violation of the law up to this point. In this case, additional inquiry is being conducted. (With agency inputs)