Mumbai Motorbike Taxi Driver Arrested for JeM-Related Posts
A 32-year-old man was detained for allegedly sharing inflammatory content linked to the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The accused, Mohammad Hassan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, was arrested by the Maharashtra ATS.
No connections to Pakistan were established during the investigation.
Charges include promoting enmity between communities through social media.
In a significant development, a 32-year-old motorbike taxi driver, identified as Mohammad Hassan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, was arrested in Mumbai's Mahim area for allegedly posting inflammatory videos and comments related to the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The arrest was made by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) following specific intelligence inputs received on October 21.
The investigation began when the ATS received information suggesting that Akhtar was in contact with a Pakistani Intelligence Operative. However, after thorough interrogation, the ATS concluded that there was no evidence linking him to any individuals in Pakistan. Instead, they determined that he was acting independently, creating and sharing objectionable content on various social media platforms.
Authorities discovered that Akhtar had been active on WhatsApp, Telegram, and other social media, where he allegedly posted videos featuring Maulana Masood Azhar, the founder of JeM, and made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His online activities included calls for 'Jihad' and posts that could potentially incite communal discord.
The implications of Akhtar's arrest extend beyond individual actions, raising concerns about the spread of extremist ideologies in urban areas like Mumbai. The police emphasized the importance of monitoring social media for content that could foster division among communities. The local police are continuing their investigation into the groups Akhtar was associated with, which are reportedly under scrutiny for their extremist views.
Looking ahead, the case is expected to progress through the legal system, with the FIR filed under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which addresses the promotion of enmity between different groups. Authorities are likely to remain vigilant in tracking similar cases to prevent the spread of radicalization in the region.
