Kolkata, April 22: The Kolkata Police on Monday claimed to have arrested an individual having links with the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai for reportedly targeting Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
The accused identified as Rajaram Rege was arrested from Mumbai, the Kolkata Police said in a press conference addressed by Additional Police Commissioners Murli Dhar and V. Solomon Nesakumar. ‘We Are Not Safe’: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Alleges BJP Targeting Her and TMC Leader Abhishek Banerjee.
"Some people were conducting recces on the movements of certain important political personalities in the state. We came to know about a person who approached some local people here. He also managed to get the mobile numbers of Abhishek Banerjee and his personal assistant. That person -- Rajaram Rege -- has now been arrested from Mumbai,” Nesakumar said. Mamata Banerjee Hits Out at BJP on Allegations of Corruption Against TMC, Says ‘PM Narendra Modi Should Look in the Mirror First’
The officer said that Rege came to the city and rented a room in south Kolkata. He also conducted recces around the residence of Abhishek Banerjee. Meanwhile, sources in the police said that before the November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, David Headley had got in touch with Rege in Mumbai. Headley is currently serving a 35-year sentence in the United States after pleading guilty to 12 international terrorism charges.
Rajaram Rege Apprehended by Kolkata Police:
Rajaram Rege, arrested by #Kolkata Police’s STF from Mumbai, brought to the city. He will be produced before the court shortly.
Rajaram allegedly had done a reccee of #TMC MP @abhishekaitc residence & office between April 18th & April 20th.
Rajaram is the person with whom… pic.twitter.com/Ak8dzrJG7D
— Pooja Mehta (@pooja_news) April 22, 2024
Kolkata Police on Rajaram Rege:
Kolkata Police STF nabs Rajaram Rege in Mumbai for allegedly surveilling #AbhishekBanerjee's properties. Rege, linked to 26/11 mastermind, spent 2 days in Kolkata. STF probing potential terror angle. #KolkataPolice #STF #WestBengal #Kolkata #mumbaiattack pic.twitter.com/3hMj2iyyZj
— AARITRA GHOSH (@ReporterAaritra) April 22, 2024
The police are investigating the reasons behind Rege conducting recces in Kolkata. The police have also registered a case at the Shakespeare Sarani Police station in the city, under whose jurisdiction the hotel where Rege stayed for two days falls. Security measures have been beefed up around Abhishek Banerjee’s residence, police sources said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 23, 2024 11:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).