The National Investigation Agency made a significant arrest on Thursday. They captured a man accused of trying to revive the banned CPI (Maoist) organization in the Magadh zone. This arrest marks a crucial development in a long-running investigation.
Key Details of the Arrest
Officials identified the arrested individual as Chandan Kumar. He was a resident of Jehanabad district in Bihar. The NIA took him into custody from Mumbai, where he had been hiding. Kumar faced serious accusations in a conspiracy case dating back to 2021. He had been evading authorities since that time, living as an absconder.
Charges and Alleged Activities
The agency presented a detailed account of his alleged crimes. Chandan Kumar was an active member of the outlawed Maoist group. His primary role involved fundraising activities to support the organization. He reportedly used extortion to collect money from contractors. This illicit money was then laundered through various channels to conceal its origin.
Beyond fundraising, Kumar actively worked to rebuild the group's network. He approached former cadres, attempting to persuade them to rejoin the banned outfit. This effort aimed to strengthen the Maoist presence in the Magadh region, a zone of historical activity for the group.
Legal Proceedings and Warrants
The legal system had already moved against Kumar before his capture. A special NIA court in Ranchi declared him an absconder in October 2023. Following this declaration, the court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant. This warrant authorized law enforcement to detain him anywhere in the country.
His arrest in Mumbai concludes a lengthy manhunt. It demonstrates the NIA's continued focus on dismantling extremist networks. The agency emphasized that this action disrupts plans to rejuvenate Maoist operations in a sensitive area.
