NIA Chargesheets 23rd Accused in Jharkhand Naxal Arms Seizure Case

The National Investigation Agency has chargesheeted Pradip Singh Chero, the 23rd accused in a Naxal arrest and arms seizure case in Jharkhand. Investigations have revealed a large conspiracy involving naxal cadres and supporters to attack security forces in retaliation for a commander's arrest.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday chargesheeted the 23rd accused in a naxal arrest and arms seizure case in Jharkhand. Pradip Singh Chero, a resident of Jharkhand, is the latest to be chargesheeted in the case designated as RC-02/2022/NIA/RNC.

Initially, the Jharkhand Police had chargesheeted nine people before the NIA took over the investigation in June 2022. As of now, the NIA has filed five supplementary chargesheets between August 2023 and July 2024, exposing the involvement of various naxal armed cadres and over ground supporters.

Chero has been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The charges stem from a conspiracy by a proscribed naxal outfit to attack security forces in Jharkhand, to avenge the arrest of their top commander, Prashant Bose.

The incident in question took place in February 2023, in the Peshrar area of district Lohardaga, Jharkhand. During that time, a large number of naxal cadres, led by Regional Commander Ravindra Ganjhu, assembled in the forest area of Bulbul, Lohardaga, to plan the attack. Ganjhu was joined by active naxal cadres Balram Oraon and Muneshwar Ganjhu, along with 45-60 others.

The security forces, comprising state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), launched a joint search operation. They were met with heavy indiscriminate firing from naxal cadres. A subsequent combing operation resulted in the recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition.

(With inputs from agencies.)