Kolkata, September 1: The Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police has taken over the investigation into the discovery of mobile phones and other internet devices in the jail cell of Aftab Ansari, the mastermind behind the American Center attack.
According to reports, Aftab Ansari is incarcerated in cell number 14 of ward 1/22 at the Presidency Central Correctional Home. This ward also houses several high-profile inmates. Notably, Subodh Roy, an accused in the BJP leader Manish Shukla murder case, is in cell number 52, while Anish Thakur is in cell number 19. Authorities have also recovered smartphones from their cells, raising questions about how such devices are reaching inmates inside the prison.
Since the BJP government took office in West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has adopted a tough stance against the use of mobile phones by criminals and the alleged drug trade operating within prisons. He stated that such irregularities would not be tolerated. In May, he directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate how mobile phones were reaching inmates and who they were communicating with. This investigation is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, the recent discovery of mobile phones in Aftab Ansari’s cell has once again raised concerns regarding prison security and the living conditions of inmates. Last week, the Kolkata Police’s Detective Department conducted a raid in Ansari’s cell, seizing three mobile phones with active internet connections and cash.
Aftab Ansari has previously served as the head of the banned terrorist organization Asif Raza Commando (ARC), which has links to Pakistan-based terrorist groups like Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM). He is currently serving a life sentence at the Presidency Central Correctional Home.
Recent information revealed that Ansari was making multiple phone calls from his cell during the day, prompting the Detective Department to conduct the raid.
According to a police officer, “Three mobile phones, two routers, one Wi-Fi device, two card readers, one pen drive, and earphones were recovered from Aftab Ansari’s clothing and bedding. Additionally, a total of 31,000 rupees in cash was found in 500-rupee notes.”
The police have initiated an investigation into how these items reached the cell of a notorious terrorist serving a life sentence. Following the raid conducted on Friday night, a case has been registered at Hastings Police Station. Investigative agencies are also examining the potential involvement of jail officials and staff in this matter.
The primary focus of the investigation is to determine whom Aftab Ansari was in contact with through these devices and what locations he communicated about. The seized devices have been sent for forensic analysis.
Investigators are also trying to ascertain whether there was any communication with individuals in Pakistan from within the prison, if any conspiracies were being plotted, or who Ansari was in contact with. Sources indicate that the recovered mobile phones contained several apps, including WhatsApp and Telegram.
Following the incident, security around Aftab Ansari’s cell has been tightened, and he is being interrogated within the prison premises.
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