Mumbai Man Arrested for Alleged Links to Jaish-e-Mohammed After Social Media Posts

A 33-year-old Rapido driver in Mumbai was detained for allegedly having ties to the outlawed terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and for making divisive comments on social media about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After receiving a tip, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) located Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, a resident of Mahim, Mumbai, close to the Mahim Metro Station. The investigative agency claims that Akhtar disseminated radical ideas while working as a perfume vendor and Rapido driver. He communicated with an intelligence agency in Pakistan. In a Telegram channel called “Indian Muslim,” the accused further encouraged religious animosity and posted terrifying audio clips of JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar on the Babri Masjid.

According to the investigation, Akhtar had subscribed to the “IBN E Qasim” extreme Pakistani Telegram channel. The accused frequently made offensive remarks on X and Instagram, encouraging violence and calling for Jihad with phrases like “Ab jihad ka zamana agya hai” (It’s time for Jihad). Prior to PM Modi’s visit, Akhtar recently left a comment on a page about a security lapse in Mumbai: “Kuch karana tha Indira Gandhi ki tarah PM Modi ko bhi bhai log (Something like Indira Gandhi should have been done to PM Modi)” — referring to an assassination.

Akhtar’s Redmi Note 14 Pro smartphone was confiscated by authorities, who also obtained 39 screenshots of his offensive social media posts for their inquiry. Akhtar has been accused of inciting animosity between various religious groups under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. IANS was informed by Akhtar’s neighbour that he had been renting an apartment for the previous three to three and a half years.

On the other hand, the neighbour stated that anyone who betrays the nation must face consequences.

Days have passed since Bollywood star Tiger Shroff was attacked in Mumbai. In addition to being a Rapido rider, one of the suspects in the shooting carried out surveillance in the city’s affluent neighbourhoods, which are home to Bollywood stars. However, according to the ride-hailing service, the attacker hasn’t used the platform since October 14.

“We are deeply concerned by the incident involving Mr. Tiger Shroff and his team, and we are relieved that he is safe. We wish him a swift recovery. We are aware of media reports mentioning an individual registered as a captain on the Rapido platform. He has not been active as a captain on our platform since 14th October. As is common in India’s larger gig economy, individuals may be registered with several platforms at the same time. On the day of the incident, the individual had used Rapido’s services as a customer,” the company said in a post on X.

In July, the Gujarat ATS detained five people during an investigation into an alleged terror module linked to JeM.