‘Jihad’ calls, Modi assassination remarks: Mumbai Rapido driver arrested over alleged Jaish links

Mumbai/IBNS: A 33-year-old Rapido driver was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Saturday for his alleged links to the banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and for making radical remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, media reports said.

IBNS • 24 Oct 2026, 02:30 pm

Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, a resident of Mumbai's Mahim area, was arrested near Mahim Metro Station following a tip-off.

According to the investigating agency, Akhtar worked as a Rapido driver and sold perfumes while allegedly using these activities as a cover to propagate radical ideology.

Social media posts under scanner

Investigators reportedly found provocative remarks on Akhtar's social media accounts, including calls for 'jihad' and references to an assassination of Prime Minister Modi similar to that of former PM Indira Gandhi.

The ATS is also probing his alleged links with Pakistani intelligence operatives.

JeM audio clips shared on Telegram

According to the investigation, Akhtar allegedly promoted religious enmity and shared audio clips featuring JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar discussing the Babri Masjid issue in a Telegram group named 'Indian Muslims'.

Investigators also found that he had subscribed to a radical Pakistani Telegram channel named 'IBN E Qasim', NDTV reported.

Further details of the investigation and the charges against the accused are awaited.