Gope, wanted in connection with multiple criminal cases, including extortion and murders, had been evading authorities while attempting to strengthen the PLFI's influence in Jharkhand.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Dinesh Gope, the self-styled chief of the banned Naxal outfit People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), in the national capital. Acoording to the repotrts by Hindustan Times, Gope, also known as Kuldeep Yadav and Badku, hails from Khunti district in Jharkhand and has been wanted for nearly two decades.
The arrest was made in connection with a case involving the recovery of demonetized currency worth ₹25.38 lakh from PLFI operatives. Gope has been booked in over 102 criminal cases in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha, mostly related to murders, abductions, threats, extortion, and fundraising for the Naxal outfit.
The NIA had announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for information leading to Gope's arrest, in addition to the ₹25 lakh reward offered by the Jharkhand government. Gope had been on the run and was attempting to regain the PLFI's stronghold in Jharkhand. The PLFI, a splinter group of the Maoists, is responsible for numerous acts of terrorism in Jharkhand.
Extortion is a major source of income for the outfit, which targets coal traders, railway contractors, and private entities involved in developmental projects. Gope used to extort money and carry out attacks through his PLFI team members, terrorizing businessmen, contractors, and the public. He also deposited the demonetized currency in a bank account and invested the illegal funds through shell companies.
The NIA had filed multiple charge sheets in the case, including one against Gope and other accused individuals and companies. The agency has also seized 14 bank accounts, two cars, cash, and immovable property worth over ₹1 crore.
The PLFI recruited unemployed youth, providing them with motorcycles, mobile phones, and easy money, and trained them to carry out terrorist activities. The outfit formed alliances with other criminal gangs to further their illicit operations.
(With PTI Inputs)