Who is the Third Accused Charged by NIA in Maoism Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Jan 13 (NationPress) On Tuesday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed charges against the third individual implicated in a case concerning efforts to rejuvenate the CPI (Maoist) Northern Regional Bureau (NRB), according to an official report.
Priyanshu Kashyap, also known as Rakesh or Nilesh, hailing from Bastar district in Chhattisgarh, faces charges under sections 13, 18, 20, 38, and 39 of the UA (P) Act in the supplementary chargesheet submitted by the NIA. Previously, the agency had filed charges against two other suspects, Ajay Singhal and Vishal Singh, in February and November of the previous year, respectively.
This case pertains to the endeavors of various leaders, cadres, and sympathizers, including Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of the CPI (Maoist), to revive the organization’s waning influence in the NRB, which includes the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
Priyanshu, an active member of the banned CPI (Maoist) group, was responsible for the Area Cell Committee in Delhi and the Sub-Zonal Committee (SZC) in Rohtak.
He was apprehended in July 2025 and was discovered by the NIA to be involved in ideological indoctrination, recruitment, and mobilization efforts for the CPI (Maoist). Moreover, he was implicated in the revival of front organizations and the distribution of prohibited materials for the terrorist group.
The NIA’s investigations unveiled that Priyanshu conducted his clandestine activities under a false identity, employing covert methods. He was found in possession of various incriminating documents related to the CPI (Maoist), which led to the charges against him.
In a separate development on January 9, the NIA also filed charges against two more individuals involved in the Assam Independence Day IED seizure case of 2024.
In the supplementary chargesheet submitted to the NIA Special Court in Guwahati, the agency has charged Bhargab Gogoi and Sumu Gogoi under multiple sections of the IPC, the Explosive Substance Act, and the UA(P) Act.
The two, both from Dibrugarh district in Assam, were arrested in June 2025 by the NIA, which had taken over the investigation from the Dispur Police in September 2024.
This latest round of charges has brought the total number of individuals charged in this case to five, following previous charges against three other suspects in June of the last year.