Rejas M Sheeba Siddiqui (26), who was arrested for criticising the union government’s counter-insurgency drives Operation Sindoor and Operation Kagar, has been booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for alleged links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and banned Maoist outfits.
Siddiqui has been charged under Sections 38 (membership of a banned organisation) and 39 (supporting a banned organisation) of the UAPA. He has been remanded to the custody of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) till May 18.
Siddiqui and a female companion, identified as Isha Priya Kumari, a law student from Patna, were taken into custody from a hotel in Nagpur on May 8. While Kumari was released after a day of questioning, Siddiqui was held for further investigation.
According to the police, Siddiqui had posted critical content on social media against Operation Sindoor and Operation Kagar, and had raised anti-India slogans. Preliminary investigations indicated that he had been working on behalf of Pakistan’s ISI to undermine India’s anti-Maoist operations. A forensic analysis of his call records and digital activity is currently underway.
Following his arrest, a joint operation by Maharashtra Police and Kerala Police’s anti-terror squad was conducted at his residence in Kochi. Siddiqui had earlier faced charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 149 (preparing to wage war against the Government of India), Section 192 (provocation with intent to cause riot), Section 351 (criminal intimidation), and Section 353 (statements likely to cause public disorder).
Officials have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and more details will be revealed as the forensic and intelligence analysis progresses. Agencies are also probing Siddiqui’s online network and connections to further identify any potential accomplices or extended links to extremist organisations.
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