The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday categorically denied any malafide in Saturday's arrest in West Bengal's Bhupatinagar in East Medinipur district, as the ruling Trinamool Congress accused the anti-terror agency of attacking women during the arrest.

The NIA in a statement refuted the allegations of unlawful actions leveled against it and dismissed the entire controversy as unfortunate.

The NIA made it clear that its actions were bonafide, lawful, and legally mandated as part of its ongoing investigation into heinous crime related to the fabrication of crude bombs, leading to an explosion that killed three persons in Naruabila village under Bhupatinagar police station in East Medinipur.

The blast had taken place in December 2022 and the agency took over the case on June 6, 2023, on the direction of the Calcutta High Court, the statement said.

" The NIA reiterated its team had come under attack by an unruly mob when they had gone to conduct searches. The attack was completely unprovoked and uncalled for and attempted to obstruct the NIA from carrying its lawful duty,' The anti-terror agency conducted searching five locations in the presence of independent witnesses and under security cover provided by the CRPF, in which the lady Constables were there. The arrest was made after legally lawful procedures. "

The aggressive crowd assaulted one NIA personnel, who was taking the arrested accused Manobrata Jana to the local police station to complete the legal formalities. One NIA official sustained injuries and an NIA vehicle was damaged. "

Jana and Ballicharan Maity were arrested for their alleged involvement in the crude bomb explosion case after they skipped several summons, the NIA said.

The agency had moved before a special court on April 3 and the judge opined that the allegation was of a very serious nature.

(With UNI inputs)