Koderma, July 23: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested two persons in connection with an alleged illegal explosives storage and transportation racket in Jharkhand’s Koderma district, seizing 1,662 illegally hoarded non-electric detonators, five digital devices and ₹16 lakh in cash during searches conducted at four locations.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mahesh Mehta and Shankar Yadav. According to the NIA, the searches were carried out as part of its investigation into a 2024 motorcycle blast in the Saltora area, which exposed an alleged network involved in the unlawful procurement, storage and transportation of explosives.
The agency alleged that the duo was part of a criminal conspiracy involving the illegal storage of explosives and their transportation to a co-accused, posing a serious threat to public safety.
“The accused were allegedly involved in a criminal conspiracy related to the unlawful storage of explosives and their transportation to a co-accused, endangering life and property,” the NIA said.
The agency said the case originated from an explosion during the illegal transportation of explosives that killed one of the accused, Joydeb Mondal alias Bablu Mondal. Following the incident, the NIA registered the case in October 2024 and has since arrested and chargesheeted three other accused.
According to investigators, the probe uncovered a wider criminal conspiracy involving explosives allegedly procured without a valid licence and a clandestine network engaged in their storage and transportation.
The NIA further stated that the investigation revealed dangerous and improper handling of explosive materials, raising concerns over public safety.
“The investigation uncovered a criminal conspiracy involving the storage and transportation of explosives allegedly procured illegally without a valid licence,” the agency said.
It added that investigators had identified “a clandestine network involved in the storage and transportation process, along with dangerous and improper handling of explosives.”
The agency said efforts are continuing to trace the origin of the explosives and determine their intended destination.
“The investigation is continuing to identify the source and intended destination of the explosives,” the NIA said.
In a separate development on Thursday, the NIA arrested Muhammadali KP, the Popular Front of India (PFI) Palakkad district president, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport shortly after his arrival from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in connection with the Sreenivasan murder case.
Muhammadali KP had been absconding for the past four years and was carrying a reward of ₹3 lakh. An Interpol Red Notice had also been issued against him. With his arrest, the total number of accused arrested in the Sreenivasan murder case has risen to 67, the agency said.
