Bengaluru man arrested for having links with Pakistani gangsters through social media

Arrest in Bengaluru Over Alleged Social Media Links with Pakistani Gangsters

A man has been arrested in Bengaluru on charges of a terrorist act for his alleged links with Pakistani gangsters through social media, police said. The accused, identified as Syed Abubakar, a resident of Islampur and an air-conditioning mechanic, was taken into custody following a tip-off received by a constable at the Doddaballapur Town police station.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the tip-off was received at around 10:30 am on August 20, indicating that the accused was allegedly having suspicious dealings with persons from Pakistan. The constable then went to Islampur Circle at around 11 am, where he found Abubakar and questioned him. The FIR states that Abubakar did not provide satisfactory answers and attempted to leave the place.

Details from the FIR and Police Statements

Upon examining the accused's mobile phone, police found that Abubakar was using an Instagram account under the name "sayedabudakar 313" and had liked reels related to Pakistan-based gangsters shared by an Instagram user named "Hammadmemon 333". The FIR further alleges that Abubakar had uploaded videos of gangsters as Instagram status updates and had shared his identity card with the account "Hammadmemon 333". Several photographs of pistols were also found on his mobile phone, indicating his interest in firearms, according to the FIR.

The complainant alleged that Abubakar could, in the future, attempt to instigate youths against India and engage in activities detrimental to the sovereignty of the country. Based on the complaint, the Doddaballapur Town Police registered a case under sections 113(3) (terrorist act) and 197(2) (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Police said the investigation is underway to identify and trace the radicalised individual with whom Abubakar was communicating. The accused has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, and his mobile phone has been sent to the forensic science laboratory for data retrieval.

Additional Details from Investigative Reports

Some reports provide additional details about the case. The New Indian Express reported that the suspect, identified as S Syed Abubakar, a resident of Islampura, was allegedly in contact with Pakistan-based gangsters and an international criminal network for the last two years. The report also mentioned that he had undergone training in Kerala and Delhi and was teaching at a mosque, according to investigators. The Doddaballapur Town police were informed by a central investigation agency, and the arrest was made on Thursday.

The New Indian Express also reported that several mobile phones, SIM cards, and suspicious documents were seized from the accused. He was allegedly planning to use a local network for illegal activities or to facilitate financial transactions. Considering the seriousness of the case, senior police officials and sleuths from central investigative agencies subjected him to detailed questioning. The investigation is on to identify those who might have assisted him in Karnataka or elsewhere in the country.

Discrepancies in Reporting

There are some discrepancies in the reports regarding the age of the accused. While The Economic Times and Hindustan Times report the accused as 25 years old, The New Indian Express states he is 28 years old. The date of arrest is also reported differently: The New Indian Express says he was arrested on Thursday, August 23, while other reports do not specify the exact date, only that the arrest was made following a tip-off on August 20.

Additionally, The New Indian Express reports that the police were informed by a central investigation agency, whereas the other two reports attribute the tip-off to a police constable's informer. These differences may reflect varying stages of the investigation or different sources within the police.

Legal Proceedings and Investigation

The case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with sections 113(3) and 197(2) invoked. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to trace the radicalised individual and identify any local assistants. The accused remains in judicial custody as the probe continues.