UAPA: Arrested student activist-journalist was active on dark web, says Nagpur ATS

NAGPUR: The student activist-cum-journalist arrested earlier this month under stringent UAPA and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions for allegedly preparing to wage war against the country and supporting terror outfits was active on the dark web, an official of the Nagpur unit of Maharashtra ATS said on Monday.

Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek (26) was arrested by Lakadganj police on May 7 from a hotel here after his online activities were placed under surveillance. His house in Kerala was raided on May 11, which led to recovery of incriminating documents, the official said.

"A preliminary scan of the digital devices belonging to him has revealed he was active on the dark web and was making inflammatory comments and posting his ideas. The Anti Terrorism Squad will send the digital devices to the cyber-forensic laboratory for in-depth investigation," the official said.

Also read Teachers' bodies condemn Ashoka University professor's arrest, demand immediate release

What is Dark Web?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by standard search engines and can only be accessed through specific software. It provides users with anonymity and is often associated with illegal activities, including drug trafficking and data breaches.

The official also said Sydeek's police custody was extended by two days by a local court on Sunday. His online activities include provocative posts and an image showing him holding a firearm after a visit to a rifle shop here, following which he was booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 149 (preparing to wage war against the Government of India), 192 (provocation with intent to cause riots), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 353 (statements conducive to public mischief).

After a probe, sections 38 and 39 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act dealing with membership of terrorist organisation and providing support to such outfits were added in the case, which was then transferred from Lakadganj police to ATS, he said.