NIA arrests wife of Naxal's regional commander in cash seizure case

National Investigation ncy (NIA) on Friday has arrested wife of Communist Party of India (Maoist) faction's regional commander Chhotu Kherwar, in a case related to seizure of huge amount of cash belonging to Maoists. Absconder Lalita Devi was arrested from Latehar district of Jharkhand. CPI (Maoist) h been banned by erstwhile UPA government under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as a terrorist organisation in June 2009.

NIA in a press release said, "NIA arrested absconding accused Lalita Devi wife of Chhotu Kherwar alias Sujit Kherwar alias Chhotu Ji, Regional Commander of CPI (Maoist) from Balumath area in case RC-01/2018/NIA/DLI." 

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A charge sheet was registered against Lalita Devi, her husband and three ors in connection with case. On September 14, NIA h arrested three accused but Lalita and her husband were absconding. However, police are still in search to nab regional commander. According to reports, hunt was initiated last year following seizure of aforementioned huge amounts of cash and cash deposits in name of Lalita Devi and her children.

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"NIA investigation revealed that CPI (Maoist) leers and operatives were investing extorted money in Sahara Credit Co-operative Society and mutual funds. Cash worth Rs 3 lakh was seized from accused Chandan Kumar, besides recovery of receipts of cash deposits to tune of Rs 12 Lakhs in name of Lalita Devi. seized amount was received by Chandan Kumar, Manr of Sahara Credit Co-operative Society from Santosh Oraon and Roshan Oraon," release re. Furr investigation in matter is underway.

Earlier, Jharkhand's Dumka police on October 13 have arrested a Maoist Akash Murmu alias Saheb Hansda from Pune. Akash was reportedly involved in attack on a polling party on April 24, 2014, during Lok Sabha elections. He was also allegedly involved in killing of n Superintendent of Police of Dumka district, Amarjit Balihar, six years ago, officials said.

'Akash Murmu alias Saheb Hansda'

Speaking to media, Dumka Superintendent of Police (SP) YS Ramesh said, "Akash Murmu alias Saheb Hansda alias Saibram Hembram, who carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his he, was arrested in Maharashtra's Pune on Sunday and brought here during day. Hansda was working as a labourer to eve arrest. Maoist is wanted in several cases in Dumka and Pakur districts."

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(With ANI inputs)