The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has refuted allegations of mala fide intention while carrying out raids and arrests in a two-year-old blast case in West Bengal, and dismissed the entire controversy as unfortunate.
In a statement, the central agency said the attack on its team by an unruly crowd in Purba Medinipur district was "completely unprovoked".
The NIA said its actions were bona fide, lawful and legally mandated, as part of its ongoing investigation into the heinous crime related to fabrication of crude bombs, leading to an explosion that killed three persons.
The attack on the NIA team had sparked a political slugfest between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the investigators of assaulting the villagers. The agency had claimed one of its officers was injured and a vehicle was damaged in the attack.
In its statement on Sunday, the agency reiterated that the attack on its team was completely unprovoked.
"The attack was completely unprovoked and uncalled for and an attempt to obstruct the NIA from carrying out its lawful duties," the agency said.
It pointed out that the searches were conducted at five locations in the presence of independent witnesses, and under the security cover provided by the CRPF, which included lady constables. The arrests were made after following all lawful procedures, it added.
The NIA had arrested two accused, Manobrata Jana and Bailicharan Maity, for their involvement in the crude bomb explosion case.
It said the duo had failed to appear before the agency despite repeated summons to join the investigation. It had, accordingly, filed an application before the Special NIA Court, Kolkata, which, after perusing the case records, issued an order on April 3, 2024, stating that it found the allegations to be of a very serious nature.
The special court had also observed that the agency was "at liberty to proceed with the investigation as expeditiously as possible, and to take all necessary action with regard to arrest, search and seizure of the houses of the suspects and accused persons, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Criminal Code of Procedure, NIA Act and UA(P)A so far applicable for a proper and thorough investigation.
Following the special court's order, the NIA had conducted the searches, which culminated in the arrest of the two accused, who were found to be involved in the case, it said.