The National Investigation Agency (NIA) made a significant breakthrough on Sunday by apprehending Dinesh Gope, the self-styled chief of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), a proscribed Naxal outfit. Gope, who goes by aliases such as Kuldeep Yadav and Badku, hails from Khunti district in Jharkhand. The arrest was made in connection with a case involving the recovery of demonetized currency worth ₹25.38 lakh from PLFI operatives. This development marks a major success in the ongoing efforts to combat Naxalism and dismantle the PLFI’s criminal activities.
Dinesh Gope has a long criminal history, with more than 102 cases registered against him in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha. These cases predominantly involve charges of murder, abduction, threats, extortion, and fundraising for the Naxal outfit, which was established in Jharkhand in 2007. His arrest comes after years of evading law enforcement agencies, during which the NIA and the Jharkhand government announced rewards of ₹5 lakh and ₹25 lakh, respectively, for information leading to his capture.
A Long-Awaited Breakthrough: NIA Apprehends Notorious Naxal Leader
One notable encounter between security forces and a PLFI gang led by Dinesh Gope occurred on February 3 of the previous year in the forest area under the Gudri police station in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. Despite a fierce gun battle, the Naxals managed to escape, and Gope went into hiding. During his fugitive status, he focused on reestablishing the PLFI’s influence in Jharkhand. His arrest will undoubtedly disrupt the outfit’s attempts to regain control and perpetrate further acts of violence.
The NIA’s investigation has revealed that Dinesh Gope employed a variety of criminal tactics to terrorize businessmen, contractors, and the general public. Extortion was a major source of income for the PLFI, and Gope’s team members carried out attacks and extorted money on his behalf. He was also involved in depositing demonetized currency into a bank account at a petrol pump, which was later collected through levies and extortion. The illicit funds were then funneled through banking channels and dubious shell companies owned by Gope’s close associates and family members.
The case against Dinesh Gope was initially registered at the Bero police station in Ranchi on November 10, 2016, and subsequently taken over by the NIA on January 19, 2018. The police had initially charged four individuals on January 9, 2017, and the NIA filed the first supplementary chargesheet against 11 accused, including Gope. On July 23, 2022, the NIA filed the second supplementary chargesheet, naming five individuals and three private limited companies. As part of the investigation, the NIA also attached 14 bank accounts, two cars, and cash and immovable property worth more than a crore.
Previously known as the Jharkhand Liberation Tigers (JLT), the PLFI has been responsible for numerous terror incidents in Jharkhand, including multiple firearm-related murders. The outfit lured unemployed youth by offering material incentives such as motorcycles, mobile phones, and easy money. After training them, the PLFI equipped these individuals with lethal weapons to carry out acts of terror. Extortion has been a key revenue stream for the PLFI, particularly targeting coal traders, railway contractors, and private entities involved in development projects across various districts of Jharkhand. The Naxal outfit has also formed alliances with criminal gangs to further its nefarious activities, resulting in incidents of murder and arson throughout the state.
Dinesh Gope played a central role in a criminal conspiracy to funnel extorted funds from contractors and businessmen involved in development projects in Jharkhand. He collaborated with other PLFI associates and his family members to invest these illicit funds in dubious shell companies. Additionally, the NIA revealed that the extorted money was being transferred from Jharkhand to other locations through a network of hawala operators.
The inception of PLFI can be traced back to July 2007 when Masi Charan Purty, a renegade from the CPI-Maoist, joined forces with Dinesh Gope to establish the outfit. Although Purty was subsequently arrested, the PLFI continued its activities under Gope’s leadership. Gope used the substantial sums of extortion money he collected to procure sophisticated weaponry, including AK-47s and foreign-made rifles like the HK 33.
The arrest of Dinesh Gope is a significant blow to the PLFI and a major step forward in combating Naxalism in Jharkhand. It represents a victory for law enforcement agencies in their ongoing efforts to dismantle Naxal outfits, disrupt their criminal activities, and restore peace and security in the region. The NIA’s relentless pursuit of justice sends a clear message that those involved in perpetrating violence and instigating terror will be held accountable for their actions.
The NIA’s Pursuit of Justice: Filing Supplementary Chargesheets to Expose PLFI’s Network
In a significant breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully arrested Dinesh Gope, the self-styled chief of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), a banned Naxal outfit, in the national capital. The arrest of Gope, also known as Kuldeep Yadav and Badku, is a major development in the fight against Naxalism and the efforts to dismantle the criminal activities of the PLFI.
Originating from Khunti district in Jharkhand, Dinesh Gope was taken into custody in connection with a case related to the recovery of demonetized currency worth ₹25.38 lakh from PLFI operatives. His apprehension is a significant step towards curbing the influence of the PLFI and ensuring the safety and security of the affected regions.
Gope’s criminal record spans over 102 cases registered against him in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha. The charges leveled against him primarily include serious offenses such as murder, abduction, threats, extortion, and fundraising for the Naxal outfit. With his capture, law enforcement agencies have struck a blow against the widespread criminal activities perpetuated by the PLFI since its formation in 2007.
For years, Dinesh Gope managed to evade arrest, prompting both the NIA and the Jharkhand government to offer substantial rewards for information leading to his capture. The successful operation not only demonstrates the efficiency of the NIA’s investigation but also sends a strong message to those involved in Naxalism that their criminal activities will not go unpunished.
One noteworthy incident involved a confrontation between security forces and a gang led by Dinesh Gope in the forested area under the Gudri police station in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. Despite the intensity of the gun battle, the Naxals managed to escape, and Gope went into hiding. During his fugitive status, he focused on reestablishing the PLFI’s stronghold in Jharkhand, which has now been disrupted with his arrest.
According to the NIA, Gope employed various tactics to terrorize individuals and extort money on behalf of the PLFI. His team members were responsible for carrying out attacks and collecting funds through illegal means. One such method involved depositing demonetized currency into a bank account at a petrol pump, later to be retrieved through levies and extortion. The laundered funds were then channeled through banking channels and dubious shell companies associated with Gope’s close allies and family members.