A 22-year-old man, identified as Sheikh Imran, was arrested from Bhubaneswar’s Unit-6 area in a joint operation conducted by the Delhi Police Special Cell and Odisha Police. Officials said the arrest was made on Friday following intelligence inputs related to suspected anti-national activities.
Police said the case originated after a group of youths was detained in Delhi about a week earlier. Their social media activity was analysed, which allegedly led investigators to an Odisha-based link. Following interrogation and digital scrutiny, Imran’s location was traced to Bhubaneswar.
Allegations and Digital Activity
According to officials, the accused had been under surveillance for several months for his online activity. He is alleged to have been involved in spreading anti-India content through social media platforms, including Instagram, and was reportedly operating under a handle linked to radical content.
Authorities also claimed that he had come into contact with a closed online group where extremist material was being shared. His digital footprint is now under detailed forensic examination.
Preliminary findings suggest possible communication with extremist elements, though investigators have not publicly confirmed the extent of any organised network involvement, they said. Officials are also examining whether the accused had any local contacts or was part of a wider digital radicalisation ecosystem.
Seizure and Legal Action
During the arrest, police recovered a laptop, a mobile phone, and other digital devices from his possession. He was produced before the Bhubaneswar Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Court and later taken on transit remand to Delhi for further interrogation.
