Patna: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 9, carried out searches at two flats in an apartment complex in Chitragupta Nagar, Patna, as part of its probe into the June attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office in Ranchi.
The operation marks the second NIA search at the apartment complex within three days. The agency had conducted searches at the premises on September 7, but the flats were reportedly locked at the time.
According to police, a woman was found at one of the flats during operation with around Rs 20 lakh in cash. The Income Tax Department was subsequently informed about the cash for further examination.
Patna Sadar SDPO-1 Manoj Kumar said the searches were being conducted on the basis of inputs linked to the Ranchi RSS office attack. He identified Sandeep Gupta, a resident of Gopalganj, as being connected to the premises.
Gupta was reportedly detained by the NIA in Delhi and brought to Patna to facilitate the searches and assist investigators in collecting evidence. “The raid is still underway. The NIA is collecting evidence in connection with the Ranchi case,” Kumar said.
He added that one of the flats was directly linked to Gupta, while the second was registered in the name of a company but was allegedly connected to him as he had been residing there.
The NIA team conducting the operation included Additional SP Amrendra Tiwari of its Ranchi team, along with other search personnel and sub-inspectors. The Chitragupta Nagar police team, led by SHO Shankar Jha, assisted the central agency during the searches.
Petrol Bomb attack on RSS office
The searches are linked to the June 17 attack on the RSS office in Nivaranpur, Ranchi. Police had said that two men allegedly hurled petrol bombs at the premises at around 12.30 am.
CCTV footage reportedly captured the suspects approaching the RSS office before throwing the petrol bombs and fleeing from the spot. While the attack triggered concern, no injuries or major property damage were reported.
