NIA searches multiple locations in Bihar; arrests senior Maoist leader

Aug 28, 2024

New Delhi [India], August 28 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested one person during extensive searches at multiple locations in two districts of Bihar in a CPI (Maoist) revival conspiracy case related to the arrest of top leaders of the banned organisation, a press release said.
According to the release, the accused have been identified as Bihari Paswan alias Rakesh alias Rishikesh.

Rishikesh, Zonal Committee Member of CPI (Maoist), who was arrested during the searches is a wanted accused. He has several cases registered against him under various sections of IPC, UA (P) Act and CLA Act in Khagaria, Begusarai and other districts of Bihar, the release said.

A total of nine locations, including 7 in Begusarai district and 2 in Gaya district, were searched by NIA teams, which seized several mobile phones, SIM cards and incriminating documents. The searches were conducted in the houses of associates of arrested top leaders/commanders, OWGs, suspects and supporters/sympathizers of CPI (Maoist).

The case had emanated from the arrest of two top CPI (Maoist) leaders at Tekari PS, Gaya, on 10th August last year. Subsequently, NIA registered a case on August 31, 2023, against three members of the proscribed outfit, identified as Pramod Mishra alias Sohan Da, Polit Bureau Member, Anil Yadav alias Ankush, Sub-Zonal Committee Member, and Vinod Mishra, Sympathizer of CPI (Maoist), the release said.

All three were arrested and are currently lodged at Beur Jail, Patna. They were found to be actively involved in the conspiracy to revive and strengthen CPI (Maoist) and were in the process of recruiting cadres and collecting levies for the said purpose.

NIA had filed a chargesheet against Pramod Mishra and Anil Yadav in the Special Court at Patna in February this year.