NIA files it's second supplementary chargesheet in West Bengal explosives case

New Delhi, October 10

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed its second supplementary chargesheet in the June 2022 West Bengal case related to the seizure of a huge cache of electric detonators and explosives.

The two accused charge-sheeted have been identified as Manoj Ghosh and Islam Chowdhury of West Bengal

This takes the total number of accused charge-sheeted in the case to nine. Five accused persons were named in the main chargesheet and two accused persons were named in the 1st supplementary charge-sheet filed in April & June this year respectively.

The case was registered in September 2022 following the seizure of 81,000 electric detonators from a vehicle in the Md. Bazar Police Station area in Birbhum by a team of STF, West Bengal. 

The vehicle’s driver, Ashish Keora, was also arrested, and subsequent searches had led to the seizure of another 2,525 electric detonators, 27,000 kg of ammonium nitrate and 1,625 kgs of Gelatin Sticks from an illegal godown. Also, the seized documents showed that a total no. of 86,700 kgs of gelatin sticks, 4,99,222 electric detonators and 204 Nonels (big electronic detonators) was illegally supplied to various illegal miners so far. 

NIA investigations revealed that accused Manoj Ghosh, owner of M/s Rajlaxmi Stone Works, at Birbhum procured explosives like electric detonators, ammonium nitrate and Gelatine Sticks etc. illegally from the accused Rintu Sk for his illegal stone mining and stored them in the vicinity of public place, thereby endangering the lives and properties of the civil populace. He was also found in possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition. Investigations also revealed that the accused Islam Chowdhury had knowledge of the illegal business of explosives and he had established close contact and conspired with the accused Merajuddin Ali Khan, Mir Md. Nuruzzaman and facilitated them in carrying out the illegal supply of explosives.

They have been charged under relevant sections of IPC, Explosive Substance Act and Arms Act.

The agency is further investigating the case. 

Further investigation in this case continues.