Mumbai Bike-Taxi Driver Held Over Terror Links, Anti-PM Remarks

Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, a resident of Mumbai's Mahim locality, was taken into custody by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Wednesday following a targeted operation based on specific intelligence inputs. The bike-taxi driver, who worked for the ride-hailing platform Rapido, was intercepted near Mahim Metro Station during the arrest.

The ATS launched the operation after receiving credible information about the suspect's alleged involvement with an extremist organization. Preliminary investigations also revealed that Akhtar had made inflammatory remarks against the Prime Minister, drawing the attention of security agencies monitoring potential threats to public order.

The arrest underscores ongoing security concerns in Maharashtra, where authorities maintain vigilance against individuals suspected of harboring extremist ideologies or maintaining links with banned organizations. The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and further investigations are underway.

Official statements indicated that the interrogation would focus on establishing the nature and extent of the suspect's alleged organizational affiliations, as well as the context and reach of his purported inflammatory statements. The matter remains under investigation by the ATS.