The National Investigation Agency (NIA) achieved a significant breakthrough on Sunday by apprehending Dinesh Gope, the self-proclaimed leader of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), a banned Naxal organization. Gope, who is known by aliases such as Kuldeep Yadav and Badku, hails from the Khunti district in Jharkhand. The arrest is related to a case involving the recovery of demonetized currency worth ₹25.38 lakh from PLFI members. This development is a major success in the ongoing efforts to combat Naxalism and dismantle the PLFI’s criminal activities.
Dinesh Gope has a long history of criminal activities, with more than 102 cases registered against him in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha. These cases primarily involve charges of murder, abduction, threats, extortion, and fundraising for the Naxal organization, which was established in Jharkhand in 2007. His arrest comes after years of evading law enforcement agencies, during which the NIA and the Jharkhand government announced rewards of ₹5 lakh and ₹25 lakh, respectively, for information leading to his capture.
The arrest of Dinesh Gope marks a long-awaited breakthrough in the pursuit of the notorious Naxal leader. One notable encounter between security forces and a PLFI gang led by Gope took place on February 3 of the previous year in the forest area under the Gudri police station in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. Despite a fierce gun battle, the Naxals managed to escape, and Gope went into hiding. During his fugitive status, he focused on reestablishing the PLFI’s influence in Jharkhand. However, his arrest will undoubtedly disrupt the outfit’s attempts to regain control and perpetrate further acts of violence.
The investigation conducted by the NIA has revealed that Dinesh Gope employed various criminal tactics to instill fear in businessmen, contractors, and the general public. Extortion served as a major source of income for the PLFI, with Gope’s associates carrying out attacks and extorting money on his behalf. He was also involved in depositing demonetized currency into a bank account at a petrol pump, which was later collected through levies and extortion. The illicit funds were then funneled through banking channels and dubious shell companies owned by Gope’s close associates and family members.
The case against Dinesh Gope was initially registered at the Bero police station in Ranchi on November 10, 2016, and later taken over by the NIA on January 19, 2018. The police initially charged four individuals on January 9, 2017, and the NIA filed the first supplementary chargesheet against 11 accused, including Gope. On July 23, 2022, the NIA filed the second supplementary chargesheet, naming five individuals and three private limited companies. As part of the investigation, the NIA also seized 14 bank accounts, two cars, and cash and immovable property worth more than a crore.
Previously known as the Jharkhand Liberation Tigers (JLT), the PLFI has been responsible for numerous terror incidents in Jharkhand, including multiple firearm-related murders. The outfit enticed unemployed youth by offering material incentives such as motorcycles, mobile phones, and easy money. After training them, the PLFI equipped these individuals with lethal weapons to carry out acts of terror. Extortion has been a significant revenue stream for the PLFI, particularly targeting coal traders, railway contractors, and private entities involved in development projects across various districts of Jharkhand. The Naxal organization has also formed alliances with criminal gangs to further its nefarious activities, resulting in incidents of murder and arson throughout the state.
Dinesh Gope played a central role in a criminal conspiracy to funnel extorted funds from contractors and businessmen involved in development projects in Jharkhand. He collaborated with other PLFI associates and his family members to invest these illicit funds in dubious shell companies. Additionally, the NIA revealed that the extorted money was being transferred from Jharkhand to other locations through a network of hawala operators.
The PLFI, originally established in July 2007 when Masi Charan Purty, a renegade from the CPI-Maoist, joined forces with Dinesh Gope, continued its activities even after Purty’s subsequent arrest. Gope utilized the substantial sums of extortion money he collected to procure sophisticated weaponry, including AK-47s and foreign-made rifles like the HK 33.
The arrest of Dinesh Gope represents a significant blow to the PLFI and a major step forward in combating Naxalism in Jharkhand. It stands as a victory for law enforcement agencies in their ongoing efforts to dismantle Naxal organizations, disrupt their criminal activities, and restore peace and security in the region. The relentless pursuit of justice by the NIA sends a clear message that those involved in perpetrating violence and instigating terror will be held accountable for their actions.
The NIA’s pursuit of justice has been marked by the filing of supplementary chargesheets to expose the PLFI’s extensive network. In a recent breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully apprehended Dinesh Gope, the self-proclaimed leader of the banned Naxal outfit, the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI). The arrest took place in the national capital and is a significant development in the fight against Naxalism and the dismantling of PLFI’s criminal activities.
Dinesh Gope, who is also known by the aliases Kuldeep Yadav and Badku, hails from the Khunti district in Jharkhand. The arrest is linked to a case involving the recovery of demonetized currency worth ₹25.38 lakh from PLFI operatives. This breakthrough represents a crucial step towards curbing the influence of the PLFI and ensuring the safety and security of the affected regions.
Gope’s criminal history is extensive, with over 102 cases registered against him in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha. These cases primarily involve serious offenses such as murder, abduction, threats, extortion, and fundraising for the Naxal outfit. His capture comes after years of evading law enforcement agencies, during which the NIA and the Jharkhand government offered rewards of ₹5 lakh and ₹25 lakh, respectively, for information leading to his arrest.
The apprehension of Dinesh Gope marks a long-awaited breakthrough in the pursuit of the notorious Naxal leader. One notable encounter between security forces and a PLFI gang led by Gope took place on February 3 of the previous year in the forest area under the Gudri police station in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. Despite a fierce gun battle, the Naxals managed to escape, and Gope went into hiding. During his time as a fugitive, he focused on reestablishing the PLFI’s influence in Jharkhand, which has now been disrupted with his arrest.
The Arrest of Dinesh Gope: A Major Breakthrough in the Fight Against Naxalism
The NIA investigation into Dinesh Gope’s activities has uncovered various criminal tactics employed by him to terrorize businessmen, contractors, and the general public. Extortion served as a major source of income for the PLFI, with Gope’s associates carrying out attacks and extorting money on his behalf. Additionally, Gope was involved in depositing
demonetized currency into a bank account at a petrol pump, which was later collected through levies and extortion. The illicit funds were then laundered through banking channels and dubious shell companies owned by Gope’s close associates and family members.
The case against Dinesh Gope was initially registered at the Bero police station in Ranchi on November 10, 2016, and subsequently taken over by the NIA on January 19, 2018. The police initially charged four individuals on January 9, 2017, and the NIA filed the first supplementary chargesheet against 11 accused, including Gope. On July 23, 2022, the NIA filed the second supplementary chargesheet, naming five individuals and three private limited companies. As part of the investigation, the NIA has seized 14 bank accounts, two cars, and cash and immovable property worth more than a crore.
Previously known as the Jharkhand Liberation Tigers (JLT), the PLFI has been responsible for numerous acts of terror in Jharkhand, including multiple firearm-related murders. The outfit enticed unemployed youth by offering material incentives such as motorcycles, mobile phones, and easy money. After training them, the PLFI armed these individuals with lethal weapons to carry out acts of terror. Extortion has been a significant revenue stream for the PLFI, with a particular focus on coal traders, railway contractors, and private entities involved in development projects across various districts of Jharkhand. The Naxal outfit has also formed alliances with criminal gangs to further its nefarious activities, leading to incidents of murder and arson throughout the state.
Dinesh Gope played a central role in a criminal conspiracy to funnel extorted funds from contractors and businessmen involved in development projects in Jharkhand. He collaborated with other PLFI associates and his family members to invest these illicit funds in dubious shell companies. Additionally, the NIA’s investigation revealed that the extorted money was being transferred from Jharkhand to other locations through a network of hawala operators.
The PLFI’s formation can be traced back to July 2007 when Masi Charan Purty, a renegade from the CPI-Maoist, joined forces with Dinesh Gope to establish the organization. Despite Purty’s subsequent arrest, the PLFI continued its activities under Gope’s leadership. Gope utilized the substantial sums of extortion money he collected to procure sophisticated weaponry, including AK-47s and foreign-made rifles like the HK 33.
The PLFI’s Menace: Uncovering Their Role in Naxal Violence and Arson
The arrest of Dinesh Gope deals a significant blow to the PLFI and represents a major step forward in the fight against Naxalism in Jharkhand. It is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies in their ongoing efforts to dismantle Naxal organizations, disrupt their criminal activities, and restore peace and security in the region. The NIA’s relentless pursuit of justice sends a clear message that those involved in perpetrating violence and instigating terror will be held accountable for their actions.
The NIA’s commitment to justice is evident through the filing of supplementary chargesheets, which aim to expose the PLFI’s extensive network.
