Has the NIA Filed Charges Against Another Accused in the Maoism Revival Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Charges filed against Vishal Singh
- Focus on CPI (Maoist) resurgence
- Legal ramifications under IPC and UAPA
- Impact of NIA investigations on national security
- Continuing battle against terrorism in northern India
New Delhi, Nov 29 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken action by filing charges against an additional suspect involved in efforts by the proscribed CPI (Maoist) terrorist organization to regain its foothold in northern regions.
The individual apprehended, Vishal Singh alias Suraj, a resident of Mathura (UP), has been charged under section 121A of IPC and sections 18, 20, 38 & 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
He becomes the second individual to be charged in the case designated as RC-01/2023/NIA-LKW.
In February, the NIA previously charged Ajay Singhal alias Aman in relation to collective efforts by leaders, members, and supporters of the CPI (Maoist) to rejuvenate the organization across the northern states of UP, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
According to NIA investigations, Vishal Singh, a member of the CPI (Maoist), spent ten days in the Chhakarbandha/Pachrukhiya forest area to instruct the group’s cadre on the operation of a drone he was carrying.
He also held meetings with senior leaders of CPI (Maoist), including Pramod Mishra alias Sohan Da and Sandeep Yadav alias Rupesh Ji, who is a member of the Bihar Jharkhand Special Area Committee (BJSAC).
In a separate development, a special court of the NIA has convicted two additional suspects in the Lucknow Al-Qaeda terror conspiracy case.
The NIA reported that Mohd. Mustaqueem and Shakeel, both from Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), were found guilty under section 25 (1B)(a) of the Arms Act, in conjunction with section 120B of the IPC.
The special court in Lucknow sentenced them to 20 months in prison, and a fine of Rs 5000 was imposed on each.
Previously, on October 30, 2025, the court had convicted Mohammad Moid from Lucknow in the same case, which involved the arrest of two members of the banned Al-Qaeda terrorist organization.
On July 11, 2021, the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) apprehended an Al-Qaeda member, Umar Halmandi, in Lucknow for radicalization and recruitment activities for AQIS (Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent).
The ATS action on July 11, 2021, was based on information that Umar Halmandi was involved in the radicalization and recruitment of individuals for AQIS in Lucknow.
Investigations revealed that Umar, operating near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was in Lucknow recruiting youth to carry out terrorist activities in various cities of U.P. ahead of Independence Day 2021.