NIA conducts raids at journalist's N Venugopal home linked to Maoist link

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at multiple locations in Hyderabad, including the residence of journalist N Venugopal, who serves as the editor of Veekshanam magazine.

Venugopal, the son-in-law of Varavara Rao, a key figure charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is now under scrutiny for alleged links to Sanjoy Deepak Rao, leader of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

Varavara Rao and 14 others were charged for allegedly conspiring to incite caste violence in the Bhima Koregaon village near Pune in 2018. Rao had been granted bail on medical grounds in August 2022. The raids at Venugopal's residence are believed to be connected to his association with Sanjoy Deepak Rao, who was arrested by the Cyberabad Police’s intelligence department in September.

Sanjoy Deepak Rao, identified as the secretary of the Western Ghat Special Zonal Committee and a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), was wanted in several cases. The Maharashtra government had previously announced a reward of Rs 25 lakh for information leading to Rao's whereabouts.

Apart from Venugopal, the NIA also conducted searches at the home of activist Ravi Sharma on similar allegations. During the raid on Venugopal's residence, his phone was seized by the anti-terror agency. Despite objections, the NIA team, comprising eight members, executed the search warrant at 5 am, according to reports.

Venugopal revealed that the NIA also confiscated some essays he had written regarding threatening letters sent by gangster Nayeemuddin, who passed away in 2016. These letters were addressed to various individuals in 2013.