Kolkata, November 29: A man was arrested in West Bengal's Darjeeling district with confidential DRDO documents and a large quantity of radioactive materials, police said on Friday. The accused was identified as Francis Ekka. He is the husband of Amrita Ekka, a TMC leader of Naxalbari Panchayat Samiti.

The arrest was made from Belgachi village in Naxalbari block on November 26 in a joint raid by the Army and the West Bengal Police, a police officer said. West Bengal Shocker: Local TMC Leader Shot Dead in Jagaddal, 1 Held.

"We found several confidential DRDO documents and a large quantity of radioactive Californium in his possession. The accused person failed to give any clear answer as to why those materials were with him," the officer told PTI. West Bengal: TMC Councillor Milan Sardar Arrested by CID on Charges of Abducting Tripura-Based Businessman; Party Announced Expulsion Following Arrest.

The market value of a gram of the seized material could be around Rs 17 crore, he claimed. "The accused has been charged with smuggling sensitive DRDO documents and radioactive materials. He may have links to foreign organisations. He is being interrogated," the officer said. Police have sealed the house from where the radioactive materials were seized, he added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)