NIA arrested two accused after searches in five states

Police keep a vigil during a National Investigation Agency (NIA) raid at gangster Raju Basodi's residence to investigate nexus between terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers, in Sonipat district, Tuesday, October 18, 2022. photo credit: PTI

The states included Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested two accused persons after conducting searches at over 50 locations in five states to crack down and disrupt the emerging nexus between terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers in the country and abroad.

Raids were conducted in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. The arrested accused have been identified as Asif Khan, a lawyer from North-East Delhi and Rajesh, a resident of Sonipat, Haryana.

According to the agency, four arms along with ammunition and some pistols in "semi-knock down condition" were seized from Asif's residence. As alleged, he was in contact with gangsters lodged inside and in jails, and was assisting them in carrying out criminal activities.

The accused Rajesh, who has faced investigation in many cases, runs an illegal liquor racket along with his accomplices in Sonipat and surrounding areas. He is the companion of Sandeep, the notorious gangster of Haryana.

The NIA searches are part of a crackdown on gangsters, their associates and illegal arms suppliers. The premises covered during the operation included one Sampat Nehra from Churu in Rajasthan; Amit Dagar, Naresh Sethi and Surendra in Haryana; Naveen, Salim and Amit in Delhi; and Rizwan from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh.

It is alleged that the gangs targeted people for extortion and were using cyberspace to propagate criminal acts to create an atmosphere of terror among their potential victims.

Many gang leaders and members who fled the country are now operating from different countries including Pakistan, Canada, Malaysia and Australia.

The ongoing investigation by the NIA into cases like the murder of Shaurya Chakra awardee Com Balwinder Singh in Punjab has also revealed that most of the conspiracies were being hatched from inside prisons in various states and executed by an organized network. operatives based overseas,” the agency said.