Anti-Terror Agency Files Chargesheet Against 5 Maoist Leaders In Jharkhand

New Delhi: National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against five high-ranking leaders of the proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist) in a case related to attempts by the outfit to revive its terror plans and agenda in various states of the country, news agency PTI reported. The chargesheet was submitted in the NIA Special Court in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

“This is the first charge-sheet filed in the case relating to a criminal conspiracy by the proscribed organisation to expand, revive and propagate its violent ideology in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and other states.The five charge-sheeted accused along with other top leaders of the CPI (Maoist) were actively engaged in recruitment, raising funds for terrorist acts, procuring arms and ammunition, and providing training in weapons handling, field craft and IED fabrication”, PTI quoted an NIA spokesperson as saying.

The official further mentioned that the chargesheet included politburo member Prashant Bose alias Kishan da alias Nirbhay alias Kajal alias Mahesh alias Kishan ji, who was heading the organisation’s eastern regional bureau. 

Additionally, Nunuchand Mahto, alias Nunulal Mahto, alias Lakhan, alias Tiger, alias Mukhiya ji, alias Neta ji, a sub-zonal commander with numerous cases registered against him in Jharkhand, features prominently among the accused. Apart from him are Duryodhan Prasad Mahto, alias Mithilesh Singh, alias Awdhesh, alias Badka Da, alias Bada Babu, and Krishna Hansda, alias Saurav Da, alias Avinash Krishna. Mahto was the regional committee member of the CPI (Maoist) and there are 77 cases against him, reported PTI.

Krishna Hansda, a key figure in the CPI (Maoist), faces charges in the recent NIA chargesheet with 37 criminal cases against him, underlining his significant role within the organization. Meanwhile, Pramod Mishra, also known by several aliases, including Banbihari ji and Neta ji, is the fifth accused. Mishra, a member of the CPI (Maoist) politburo, was heading the northern regional bureau of the outfit, aiming to bolster its presence in Bihar with support from the eastern regional bureau, as per PTI.

Notably, the five have been charged with various offences under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case registered by the NIA against nearly two dozen CPI (Maoist) leaders.

After registering the case, the probe agency conducted extensive raids and investigations across states affected by left-wing extremism. Evidence was gathered, indicating that the accused had conspired to gather funds and procure arms to revive and strengthen the CPI (Maoist) organisation and its activities, the NIA spokesperson added.