NIA to probe UP ‘arson-for-cash’ case, detains Mumbai man

Bijnor: NIA will now probe the arson of a Hindu man's pickup vehicle in Bijnor after the investigation pointed to a suspected online radicalisation network involving a Telegram contact identified as "Abubakar", a trail of tens of thousand of rupees, and an alleged plan to target vehicles belonging to a particular community. The case has already led to the arrest of two Kiratpur residents, while a third youth from Mumbai has been detained for questioning.The case relates to the burning of a pickup owned by Nimish Rastogi on March 4. According to the FIR, petrol was poured on the vehicle and it was set on fire, while there was also an attempt to deface religious symbols and slogans on it. Police later identified the main accused as Abuzar Shamim Rain, 24.Abuzar, who was arrested on March 12, allegedly told police that he had been facing financial distress and had approached his cousin, Mohd Zaid, for help. Investigators said Zaid then connected him through Telegram to a person identified as "Abubakar", who allegedly assigned him the task of setting vehicles belonging to members of the Hindu community on fire.Police said Abuzar allegedly carried out the arson near a temple, recorded the act on video and shared it on Telegram as proof. Soon after, an undisclosed amount was transferred to his bank account, and investigators are now examining the source of the money and the larger network behind it.So far, two accused — Abuzar and his relative Mohd Zaid, 28, both residents of Kiratpur — have been arrested, while a youth from Mumbai has also been detained for questioning in connection with the case. Investigators found that Zaid allegedly operated a Telegram group with more than a dozen members, and police also recovered two Pakistani numbers from his phone.Police, however, said the suspected chain of contact remained indirect at this stage. According to investigators, even Zaid did not appear to have any direct link with Abubakar and knew him only through social media. Agencies suspect Abubakar used online platforms to lure youths with inducements and tried to provoke communal unrest through such acts.Initially, the case was registered under BNS section 326(f) for mischief by fire. Later, section 152, dealing with acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, was also added. With the probe now widening beyond the local act of arson and a possible larger conspiracy under scrutiny, NIA has taken over the investigation.