New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted a series of searches at seven locations in Bihar and Jharkhand on Wednesday, in connection with the brutal murder of Naresh Singh Bhokta in 2018. The murder was attributed to the banned terrorist organization CPI (Maoist) or Naxals. According to the agency, Bhokta was abducted and killed on the night of November 2, 2018, after being falsely labeled a police informer by the top leadership and Naxal cadres during a so-called ‘Jan Adalat’ (public hearing) organized by the outlawed group. The victim’s body was discovered near the village of Badhai Bigha in the Madanpur area of Aurangabad district, Bihar.
The NIA raids targeted several locations in the Gaya and Aurangabad districts of Bihar, as well as the Palamu district of Jharkhand. The residential premises of five arrested commanders and two suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and supporters of the Naxals were searched, resulting in the seizure of various digital devices such as mobile phones and SIM cards, along with incriminating documents.
The NIA took over the case from the Bihar Police on June 24 last year and has made significant progress since then. So far, a total of nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. In February of this year, the NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet against one of the accused, Ajay Singh Bhokta. The chargesheet includes various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act, and sections 13, 16, 18, 20, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.
During its investigations, the NIA unearthed the involvement of high-ranking Naxal commanders in the murder conspiracy. Furthermore, the agency successfully recovered the weapons and vehicles used in the heinous crime.
The NIA’s efforts to bring those responsible for Naresh Singh Bhokta’s murder to justice have been commendable. By taking over the case and conducting thorough investigations, they have revealed the complex network behind the incident. The seizure of digital devices and incriminating documents during the recent raids is expected to provide valuable evidence for further progress in the case.
The murder of Naresh Singh Bhokta serves as a stark reminder of the violence and terror inflicted by Naxals in certain regions of India. It highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating such extremist groups and underscores the need for continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of citizens.
The NIA’s relentless pursuit of justice and its determination to dismantle the Naxal infrastructure involved in this crime sends a strong message that terrorism will not be tolerated. It is hoped that with the progress made so far and the evidence gathered during the raids, the investigation will proceed smoothly, leading to the successful prosecution of all those involved in this brutal act.
