Karnataka Police have taken seven people in Bidar for talking to members of banned terrorist groups and people involved in illegal arms trade through WhatsApp and Instagram.
The case was reported at Khatak Chincholi police station on October 1. The people named are 24-year- Vishalkumar Vijaykumar Metre from Yenkoor village in Bhalki taluk three people from Pakistan named Shahzad Bhatti, Rana Hunain and Nomi Khan, Ashu Sharma from Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh and Raj Bhai alias Lucky Singh from Madhya Pradesh. Another person has also been mentioned in the case.
Bidar Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti said Metre was caught on Saturday and taken to court. According to Gunti investigators found that Metre was supposed to be in contact with people involved in arms trade and members of banned groups.
The FIR was made after a complaint by Hanamareddyappa Circle Police Inspector of the Bhalki Rural Circle. Police said they got a tip at 3 am on October 1 that Metre was using Instagram and WhatsApp to talk to people involved in buying and selling illegal weapons.
A police team reportedly went to Yenkoor village around 3.30 am. Found Metre sleeping outside his house. Investigators did a check of his phone according to the complaint.
Karnataka Police said the phone had WhatsApp messages with Shahzad Bhatti, who they say is a Pakistan-based terrorist. They also said the messages were with Rana Hunain and Nomi Khan. The messages were about selling and trading weapons.
Investigators added that Rana Hunain sent Metre links to WhatsApp groups called “Rahe Haq” and “RANA BHAI 333”. Police said Metre joined those groups and looked at posts and videos that investigators called harmful, to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India.
The investigation is still going on with police looking at the messages contacts and supposed links of the accused. The charges are not yet proven in court.