NIA charges 8 accused with Maoist conspiracy

THE CASE PERTAINS TO THE VIOLENCE THAT BROKE OUT IN THE VILLAGE OF BHIMA KOREGAON ON JANUARY 1, 2018

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has levelled damning charges of Maoist conspiracy, receiving funds and recruiting cadre for left-wing extremist groups and inculcating sympathies among students, on prominent activists and academics arrested in connection with the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence. The NIA claimed Delhi University professor Hany Babu Musaliyarveetil Tharayil, charge-sheeted last week along with seven others, inculcated sympathies for Maoists among students in Delhi, especially Dalit students. In a 10,000-page charge sheet – reviewed by HT on Tuesday – the agency said Babu had with him documents pertaining to “mass mobility, analysis of cities like Mumbai, Surat from political, geological, socio-economical, religious profile as if done to see the potential of making inroads for Maoists”.

Some documents mentioned methods for mastering of secret works, instructions of central committee of Maoists on work required to be done in urban areas; guidelines for work in working classes, finances, information literature related to a weapon, bomb, mortar as well as company drill of PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerilla Army), the charge sheet said. He was also in touch with a secretary – Paikhomba Meitei - of a Manipurbased banned outfit Kangleipak Communist Party- Military Council (KCP-MC), NIA adds

Asserting that Babu was an active member of CPI (Maoist), the charge sheet added that he organised an event for the release of Delhi University professor GN Saibaba under the banner of ‘committee for the defence and release of Saibaba’. Saibaba is currently in jail on charges of alleged Maoist links.

On 83-year-old activist Father Stan Swamy, the NIA said he received ₹8 lakh from an individual “Comrade Mohan” for spreading activities of CPI.