NIA files supplementary chargesheet in Patna Naxal case

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against one accused in connection with the Naxal case in Bihar's Patna, an agency release said on Saturday.

The accused has been identified as Rupesh Kumar Singh aka Raman and Patrakar, hailing from Sarauni village of Bihar's Bhagalpur district.
The chargesheet has been filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, of 1967. Specifically, the accused has been charged under section 120B, 121A of the IPC, and sections 13, 18, 20, and 39 of the UA(P) Act, 1967.
As per the release, the case pertains to activities of levy collection by members/leaders of the CPI (Maoist), a proscribed terrorist organisation, and the recruitment of cadres for its Maoist revival in the region.

"This supplementary chargesheet stems from the raid conducted by Rohtas Police at the residence of Umesh Chaudhary in the village of Samhuta, PS and Rohtas district, Bihar. The operation unveiled disturbing information about the presence of active members/leaders of the CPI (Maoist) in the vicinity," the release stated.

It further mentioned that the primary objectives of these CPI (Maoist) leaders and members were levy collection, recruitment of new cadres, and the revival of the CPI (Maoist) movement.

As a result of the operation, a Central Committee Member of CPI (Maoist) Vijay Kumar Arya, along with another cadre Umesh Chaudhary, were arrested. They were found in possession of naxal-related pamphlets, levy receipts and electronic devices containing incriminating data, it added.
The case was initially registered as FIR No. 123/2022, dated 12.04.2022 at PS-Rohtas, Bihar and was re-registered by NIA on 26.04.2022. Previously, NIA had filed a charge sheet and supplementary chargesheet against four accused individuals on 07.11.2022, 18.11.2022, and 21.01.2023.

The investigation revealed that Rupesh Kumar Singh was not only an active cadre of the CPI (Maoist) but also held the prestigious rank of Special Area Committee member (SAC), the release stated.
Furthermore, he held the position of Chief Editor of the 'Lal Chingari' Magazine, a publication by the CPI(Maoist), a banned terrorist organisation in India.

"He himself supplied soft copies of the said magazine to the top Commanders of CPI (Maoist) in various states across the nation. His role extended beyond this; he played a crucial part in motivating CPI (Maoist) cadres to consolidate supporters under the banner of CPI(Maoist) with an intent to wage war against the Government of India," the release said.
According to the NIA release, the investigation has also established that Rupesh Kumar Singh attended meetings at the Chakarbandha CPI (Maoist) camp.

During these gatherings, he conspired with the senior cadres of CPI (Maoist) to further their nefarious and unlawful objectives of collection of levy, recruitment of new members, and procurement of arms, ammunition, and explosives, all with the explicit aim of strengthening the banned terrorist organisation CPI (Maoist), it further stated.
Further investigation into the case is underway.