JAISALMER: In connection with arson and anti-national activities reported in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, during March and April 2026, the Uttar Pradesh ATS and police have arrested Rajuram Godara from the Nachna area of Jaisalmer. Investigations, forensic reports, and mobile data revealed that he was the mastermind and digital controller of a Telegram-based network, operating from Jaisalmer while directing youths active in Uttar Pradesh. Action has been taken under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and both the NIA and ATS are involved in the probe. He was the admin of a Telegram group, and his number had been saved under the name “Syed.” Meanwhile, another suspect has been detained under Section 151 and is being interrogated. His mobile phone has been seized by the UP ATS for forensic examination. According to information received, on the night of March 24, at around 10 pm, acting on UP Police inputs, a 29-year-old man was picked up from his house in the Bharewala area near the India–Pakistan border in the Nachna police station limits. He was initially released after joint interrogation at the JIC, but his mobile phone was seized by the UP ATS for forensic analysis. During questioning, he identified himself as “Syed”, but after sustained interrogation, his identity was confirmed as Rajuram Godara. Subsequently, after incriminating and shocking details emerged from the mobile examination, he was detained again from Jaisalmer on April 15 and formally arrested in Uttar Pradesh. Following the incident, police and BSF were put on alert in the border areas. UP Police ADG (STF and Law & Order) Amitabh Yash stated that the case began with an incident on March 4, 2026, in Kiratpur, Bijnor. Around 10:15 pm, a pickup vehicle belonging to Nimish Rastogi, parked in front of a temple in Mohalla Jhanda, was set on fire using petrol. Initially treated as a routine case, a technical investigation later revealed it to be part of an organised conspiracy. The case is now being investigated by the NIA. Police investigations revealed that the main accused, Abuzar Shamim, was assigned tasks via Telegram by a handler using the name “Abu Bakar”. He was instructed to target vehicles belonging to a particular community. After committing arson, he was required to record videos and send them via Telegram in exchange for money, which was to be paid online or through hawala channels. During the investigation, Rajuram Godara, son of Madan Lal and a resident of Dadoodewala village under Nachna police station, Pokhran tehsil, Jaisalmer district, was identified and arrested. During interrogation, Rajuram admitted that he operated the Telegram group through his mobile number and acted as its admin. His number had been saved as “Syed” by co-accused Zaid. On the day Abuzar was arrested, Shakib Ahmed (a resident of Meerut, arrested in ATS Lucknow FIR No. 02/26) had called Rajuram and Zaid. After this, Rajuram changed his mobile phone. Both phones are now under detailed examination. The group was used to carry out anti-national activities, including targeting vehicles of a particular community and damaging railway tracks. Several related videos were recovered from Zaid’s mobile. The ADG stated that Rajuram has been arrested in connection with Case No. 156/2025 registered at Nangla police station under Sections 152 and 61(2)(a) of the BNS, Sections 7 and 25(1)(A) of the Arms Act, and Section 69(A) of the IT Act. Forensic analysis of Rajuram’s phone revealed images of weapons, objectionable videos, and chats related to spreading unrest across different parts of the country. Police believe this is not the work of a single individual but part of a well-organised sleeper cell network. So far, Bijnor police have arrested Abuzar Shamim, Zaid, Mannan, and Sameer in this case. Sameer was arrested from Najibabad and was also in contact with handlers based abroad. Investigation of their mobile phones led to Rajuram, who was identified as the Telegram group admin, with his number saved as “Syed.” According to officials, multiple arson incidents occurred in the Kiratpur and Nangla Soti police station areas during March and early April. Although no casualties were reported, vehicles and properties were damaged. Police have termed it a conspiracy to disturb communal harmony. Investigating agencies believe the network became active around January 2026 and extended beyond Bijnor to cities such as Lucknow, Mumbai, and Jaisalmer. International links have reportedly been traced to Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Police estimate that the network involved around 15–20 active members. Youths were initially contacted through Instagram and Facebook, and later added to Telegram groups. Economically weaker or ideologically vulnerable individuals were specifically targeted. Under the network, accused individuals were instructed to identify “soft targets” in their areas. Google Maps and live location tracking were used to monitor activities. Uploading videos or photos after committing arson was mandatory, and payments were made based on these submissions. Given the seriousness of the case and its foreign links, teams from the NIA and ATS are actively investigating. All accused have been booked under the UAPA. Police say this represents a new trend where seemingly normal youths are being used as sleeper cells through social media platforms.
