Bihar: NIA Files Charges Against Sixth Suspect in CPI (Maoist) Magadh Zone Revival Case
Click to start listening
New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed charges against an additional suspect in the case concerning the revival of CPI (Maoist) in the Magadh Zone, as confirmed by officials on Tuesday.
Binod Shankar, also known as Vinod Shankar Singh, hailing from Kaimur district in Bihar, is identified as the sixth individual to be charged in this matter.
A supplementary charge sheet was submitted against him on Monday, citing various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act before the NIA Special Court situated in Patna.
This accused has a history of multiple criminal cases registered at different police stations across the Aurangabad district in Bihar.
Previously, the NIA had charged five other individuals in this case, which was initiated on September 26, 2023, regarding the efforts of the banned terrorist organization CPI (Maoist) to restore Naxalism in the Magadh zone of Bihar.
According to investigations conducted by the NIA, Binod was an active participant in the CPI (Maoist) and played a role in disseminating the anti-national ideology of the outlawed group. Alongside other accused individuals, he was engaged in the radicalization of impressionable youth and served as a courier between CPI (Maoist) cadres.
Last week, notorious Maoist commander Chhotu Kharwar, who had a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on his head, was eliminated in an internal conflict among Maoist factions in the Nawadih area of Latehar, Jharkhand, on November 26.
In addition to the Rs 15 lakh bounty set by the Jharkhand Police, the NIA announced a further reward of Rs 3 lakh for his capture, solidifying his status as one of the most wanted Maoists in the nation.
Chhotu had been actively broadening the Maoist influence in the Koel and Shankh regions after escaping from Budha Pahad, a former Maoist stronghold, during the security forces' 'Operation Octopus' executed last year.
In 2016, Balumath Police seized Rs 3 lakh from a manager of a Chit Fund company named Chandan Kumar, who asserted that the money belonged to Chhotu. Additionally, a deposit slip indicating Chhotu's investment of Rs 26 lakh was uncovered during the probe.
This financial lead prompted the NIA to assume control of the case in January 2018.
