A man has been arrested from Mumbai with suspected ties to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Kolkata Police said on Monday. The accused man allegedly conducted surveillance on the residence and offices of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee.
The suspect, identified as Rajaram Rege, aged 53, was apprehended on charges of planning a significant threat against the MP, police said. Authorities have expressed concerns over a potential terror attack and perceived danger to Banerjee’s life.
“Today, our officers arrested Rajaram Rege from Mahim in Mumbai. He had visited Kolkata, stayed here, and conducted a recce of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s offices and residence. He had obtained the mobile phone numbers of Banerjee and his PA, and tried to contact them,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (I) Murlidhar Sharma, The Indian Express reported.
This arrest follows closely on the heels of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s accusations against the BJP, alleging a conspiracy against herself and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, suggesting their safety was compromised.
Rajaram Rege, who was on Monday afternoon transported to Kolkata, has been booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy and intimidation, as well as provisions of the IT Act and the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act.
Notably, his name first surfaced during the 26/11 attacks investigation due to links with Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Headley. Headley, in his testimony as a prosecution witness in a Chicago court, mentioned meeting Rege at Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar, Mumbai.
“Rege was affiliated to the Shiv Sena and had been used by David Headley who came to India to conduct a recce of the sites that were to be targeted in the 26/11 attacks of 2008. To get access to the Sena Bhavan, which was on the list of targets that the LeT wanted to attack, Headley was in touch with Rege from the US,” a senior officer of Mumbai Police said.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Rege was unaware of Headley’s intentions and believed he could benefit financially from their association. A senior officer from Kolkata Police revealed that their scrutiny intensified after Rege’s presence was detected in Kolkata earlier this month.
An FIR was lodged on Sunday based on a specific complaint.
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The Kolkata police have identified individuals whom Rege was in communication with, and they are all under investigation. Additionally, police are exploring whether Rege had any connections with any political parties as well.
In a chargesheet filed last September against 26/11 terror suspect Tahawwur Rana, the Mumbai Police crime branch included an email allegedly sent by David Headley. In the email, Headley sought guidance on how to handle Rege, whom he had approached under the guise of being a tourist. In a subsequent email, Headley provided the address of ‘Major Iqbal’ from the ISI, suggesting Rana consult him regarding Rege.
Rege was pivotal in facilitating Headley’s engagement with a political party. Given the parallels between these incidents, there is concern about a potential conspiracy involving sabotage and a threat to the life of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee.
Currently, police are investigating all avenues including whether Rege has any ties to terrorist organisations.