The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 33-year-old man near Mahim Metro station in Mumbai over alleged links to the banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), officials said. The accused, identified as Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, was picked up by the ATS's Kalachowki unit on Saturday, October 24, following a tip-off.

Source: IANS via News Mania

According to the ATS, Akhtar worked as a Rapido bike-taxi rider and also sold perfumes, and had been living in a rented flat in Mahim for about three and a half years. He is originally from Bhankardwari village in the Thakurganj block of Bihar's Kishanganj district, and Bihar security agencies have been alerted and are gathering information about his background, Patna Press reported.

Source: Patna Press

What investigators allege

Investigators allege that Akhtar operated a Telegram group in which audio speeches attributed to JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, including material on the Babri Masjid, were shared on June 1, and that he was an active subscriber to a Pakistan-linked extremist Telegram channel called 'IBN-e-Qasim'. The ATS also alleges he was in contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives and posted inflammatory content on social media, including a comment referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with a reported security lapse during the Prime Minister's recent Mumbai visit. All of these are allegations made by the investigating agency; they have not been tested in court.

Officers said they seized Akhtar's Redmi Note 14 Pro smartphone and documented 39 screenshots of alleged objectionable posts. A case has been registered under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with promoting enmity between groups. Officials said sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act may be added if forensic examination of the phone establishes organisational links or a wider conspiracy.

Akhtar's family members in Kishanganj have claimed he is being falsely implicated, according to Patna Press. He had earlier lived in Delhi before moving to Mumbai for work, family members said. The investigation is continuing, and the ATS is examining his devices, accounts and contacts.