Bidar: A 24-year-old man from Karnataka’s Bidar district has been arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) over alleged links with members of banned organisations and people involved in the illegal trafficking of firearms, police said.
The accused was identified as Vishalkumar Maitre from Enakoor village. According to the FIR registered at Khatakchinholi Police Station, he allegedly used Instagram and WhatsApp to communicate with individuals linked to banned organisations.
The FIR names Pakistan-based individuals Shahzad Bhatti, Rana Hunaini and Nomi Khan as people with whom Vishalkumar allegedly remained in contact.
Investigators also allege that he obtained illegal firearms from Ashu Sharma of Uttar Pradesh and a person identified as Raju Bhai from Madhya Pradesh. Police said the weapons were allegedly transported illegally and subsequently supplied to others.
Investigators are examining the source of the weapons, their intended recipients and the alleged purpose for which they were being transported.
According to the FIR, preliminary findings indicated that Vishalkumar was allegedly associated with individuals and organisations whose activities could pose a threat to the unity and integrity of India. These are allegations and remain subject to investigation and determination through the legal process.
The Intelligence Department had reportedly been monitoring Vishalkumar’s activities for several months before his arrest. His social media interactions, call records and other digital communications are expected to form part of the investigation.
Police have registered a case under the UAPA and are investigating whether the accused had links with additional individuals or organisations and whether others were involved in the alleged firearms network.
Further investigation is underway.
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