UP Police Officers Face Action After ATS Uncovers Critical Errors in 2025 Terror Investigation
In a significant development, a station house officer has been suspended and a circle officer removed from their posts in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. This action follows a stern review by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which identified severe lapses in a 2025 police investigation. The probe had controversially recorded what appeared to be an AK-47 assault rifle as a "toy gun" and a grenade as a "perfume bottle," raising serious concerns about procedural negligence.
Case Origins and Initial Mishandling
The case dates back to November 2025, when a video surfaced on social media platforms. The footage purportedly showed Aqib Khan, a resident of Meerut currently based in Dubai, displaying what looked like an assault rifle and a grenade during an Instagram call with Majul. Majul, a resident of Sauftapur village in the Nangalsoti police station area, has been working as a salon worker in South Africa for the past three years.
Despite the alarming visuals, the Bijnor police relied heavily on a video statement from Aqib Khan. In this statement, he claimed, "The rifle is a toy gun and the grenade is a perfume bottle." Shockingly, the investigating officers accepted this explanation without thorough verification, leading to the clearance of all accused individuals in the case.
ATS Intervention and Renewed Scrutiny
The matter resurfaced dramatically after the UP ATS arrested four terror suspects in Lucknow. During interrogations, one of the suspects, identified as Saquib alias Devil from Meerut, allegedly revealed connections to Aqib Khan in Dubai. This disclosure exposed the earlier oversight by the Bijnor police and prompted immediate action from higher authorities.
Following the ATS input, a departmental inquiry was ordered. Superintendent of Police Abhishek Jha took decisive steps against the officers involved in the initial investigation. The inquiry highlighted that sub-inspector Vinod Kumar had registered an FIR on November 23, 2025, against Majul, Aqib Khan, and an unidentified person after the video came to light.
During the probe, then Station House Officer Satyendra Malik contacted Majul and later conducted a video call with Aqib Khan. Aqib reiterated his innocence, stating, "I am innocent. The weapon shown is not real and the grenade is only a perfume bottle." The police accepted this version without further scrutiny and filed a final report, effectively giving both Aqib and Majul a clean chit.
Serious Turn in the Investigation
The case took a grave turn with the ATS arrests in Lucknow. The four suspects apprehended include Saquib alias Devil and Arbab, both residents of Meerut, along with Vikas Gehlawat and Lokesh from Gautam Buddh Nagar. Investigators allege that these individuals were at Lucknow railway station as part of a bomb blast conspiracy.
Further revelations indicated that Saquib's links led authorities to Aqib Khan, who was allegedly in contact with Majul through Instagram and Telegram. It is suspected that Aqib connected Saquib to Pakistani handlers via these platforms, underscoring potential terror linkages that were initially overlooked.
Consequences and Ongoing Investigations
Officials stated that the fresh findings from the ATS prompted a comprehensive review of the earlier investigation, exposing serious negligence in documentation and verification processes. A departmental inquiry has been formally ordered into the lapse, with agencies continuing to investigate the wider network and Aqib Khan's role from Dubai.
This incident highlights critical gaps in police protocols and the importance of rigorous verification in terror-related cases. The swift action against the officers serves as a reminder of the accountability required in law enforcement to prevent such oversights in the future.
