Mumbai Rapido Driver Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar Arrested Over Suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed Links, Police Say

By : Alia Kashmiri

A 33-year-old man working as a Rapido driver in Mumbai has been arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) over suspected links with the banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and allegedly provocative social media posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The accused, Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, is a resident of Mahim in Mumbai. According to reports, ATS officials traced him to an area near Mahim Metro Station after receiving a tip-off.

Investigators allege that Akhtar used social media to promote radical ideology and maintained contact with individuals linked to a Pakistani intelligence operation. These allegations are subject to investigation.

Alleged links with JeM and radical online activity

According to the investigating agency, Akhtar worked as a Rapido driver and sold perfumes. Investigators allege that he also circulated extremist material online.

He is accused of sharing audio clips attributed to Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar concerning the Babri Masjid through a Telegram group called Indian Muslim.

Investigators also reportedly found that Akhtar had subscribed to a Pakistani Telegram channel named IBN E Qasim, which they described as radical.

His social media activity on X and Instagram is also under scrutiny. According to the allegations, he posted provocative messages, including the phrase “Ab jihad ka zamana agya hai”, meaning “The time for jihad has come”.

Investigators have also cited a comment allegedly posted by Akhtar in response to a social media discussion about a security breach in Mumbai ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit. The comment reportedly referred to the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and suggested that something similar should happen to Modi.

Authorities are examining the posts as part of their investigation into the accused’s alleged activities and intentions.

Mobile phone seized for investigation

Officials have reportedly seized a Redmi Note 14 Pro mobile phone from Akhtar. Investigators have also collected 39 screenshots of his alleged social media activity as evidence.

He has been booked under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which concerns promoting enmity between different groups on grounds including religion, race and language.

The investigation is continuing, and the allegations against him have yet to be established in court.

Neighbour expresses shock over arrest

Speaking to IANS, a neighbour said Akhtar had been living in a rented flat in the area for approximately three to three-and-a-half years.

The neighbour said he had occasionally seen Akhtar sitting outside and had spoken to him. He recalled that Akhtar sold perfumes and later worked night shifts.

The neighbour said he had never suspected that Akhtar might be involved in such activities. He added that anyone found betraying the country should face punishment.

The comments reflect the neighbour’s personal account and do not establish whether the allegations against Akhtar are true.

Arrest follows separate incident involving Tiger Shroff

The arrest comes days after a shooting incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff and members of his team in Mumbai, according to the supplied report.

Media reports have alleged that one of the accused in that separate case had worked as a Rapido rider and conducted surveillance in upscale neighbourhoods where Bollywood celebrities live.

Rapido reportedly said that the individual had not been active as a captain on its platform since 14 October. The company also stated that the individual had used its services as a customer on the day of the incident.

The two cases are separate, and there is no evidence in the supplied information establishing a connection between Akhtar and the accused in the shooting case.

Earlier investigation into alleged JeM module

In another development, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad detained five people in July during an investigation into an alleged terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed.

The latest Mumbai case has renewed attention on the use of online platforms to circulate extremist material and on the work of security agencies investigating suspected links with banned organisations.

Authorities will need to establish the evidence supporting the allegations against Akhtar through the legal process. An arrest and the seizure of digital material do not, by themselves, establish guilt.