WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025
NIA investigation uncovers Dimapur link in arms trafficking case
Published on May 19, 2025
Share
- KOHIMA — A criminal appeal before the Patna High Court has revealed several links between Dimapur and the illegal procurement of prohibited arms supplied to criminals and Naxals in Bihar.
- The court, in its May 16 order, referred to findings from an NIA investigation that traced weapons and financial transactions back to Dimapur.
- According to court records, the case originated with an FIR under the Arms Act filed at Fakuli Police Station in Bihar. Initially investigated by the local police, the matter was later handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) following directions from the Union Home Ministry.
- The NIA subsequently re-registered the case and expanded the scope of the investigation.
- As per the court order, mobile phones seized from the accused persons—Vikash Kumar, Satyam Kumar, and Md. Ahmad Ansari (the appellant)—were sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, New Delhi.
- The forensic report received on September 30, 2024, revealed several incriminating items, including photographs of prohibited firearms such as AK-47 rifles, Berretta and Glock pistols (of Austrian origin), along with railway tickets linking the accused to Dimapur.
- Tickets showed travel from Muzaffarpur to Dimapur by Vikash Kumar, and a return trip from Dimapur to Muzaffarpur by both Vikash Kumar and Satyam Kumar. Call Detail Records (CDRs) also confirmed communication between all four accused and a common contact—Ranjeet Das of Dimapur.
- Financial investigations revealed large transactions linked to the accused. A bank account held by the appellant in Axis Bank, Muzaffarpur, showed transactions amounting to INR 38 lakh between April 2022 and April 2024.
- Another account held by co-accused Md. Ahmad Ansari in IDFC First Bank, Dimapur, had transactions totaling INR 20 lakh between March 2023 and April 2024.
- During the course of the NIA investigation, arms including an AK-47 rifle, wooden butt, lens, and five rounds of live ammunition were seized and sent for forensic analysis.
- The AK-47 was confirmed to be a foreign-made, fully automatic weapon in working condition. The barrel indicated prior use, and the ammunition was also confirmed to be live and effective, it stated.
- The court noted that “protected witnesses” corroborated the claim that the accused had procured arms from Dimapur for onward sale and supply to criminal networks and Naxal groups in Bihar.
- It was further stated that the accused had travelled to Dimapur using multiple modes, including a Mahindra Thar vehicle owned by the appellant, and had sent funds there to facilitate the purchases.
- The NIA alleged a criminal conspiracy under Sections 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
- Given the gravity of the offenses and evidence of a premeditated arms trafficking operation, the court denied the appellant's request for bail.
- Although earlier reports suggested the weapons may have originated from China, the court did not make any reference to the country of origin in its ruling.
Nagaland Districts
