Nagpur: In a significant development, Lakadganj police have apprehended a 26-year-old man from Kerala on serious charges of allegedly preparing to wage war against the Government of India. The accused, identified as Rejaz M. Sheeba Sydeek, a resident of Edappally, Kerala, was detained from a hotel in Lakadganj on Wednesday evening, where he was staying with a female companion.

Police acted on intelligence inputs suggesting Sydeek’s suspected links to Naxalite elements. During the raid, officers reportedly seized literature promoting Naxal ideology, including material referencing Marxism-Leninism and a book on Professor G.N. Saibaba, a former Delhi University professor convicted for Naxal links. Additionally, an English letter recovered from Sydeek’s possession allegedly criticised the Indian government’s anti-Naxal operations and called for peace talks with the banned CPI (Maoist) group.

According to sources, Sydeek claims to be a journalist and student activist. He had recently participated in a press conference in Delhi supporting journalists arrested across India. Sydeek is said to be affiliated with the Democratic Students Association and contributes to digital publications like Maktoob Media and The Observer Post, focusing on issues such as caste discrimination, communal violence, and human rights.

Sydeek’s female friend, a 22-year-old woman from Patna, Bihar, currently pursuing her education in Pune, had reportedly booked the hotel room in Lakadganj. The two had become acquainted via Instagram and were staying together when the police raided the premises. She was also detained and placed under separate arrest, though charges against her are yet to be disclosed. Sources indicate she was living as a paying guest in Nagpur.

Police have booked Sydeek under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:

• Section 149: Preparing to wage war against the Government of India
• Section 192: Provocation with intent to cause riot
• Section 351: Criminal intimidation
• Section 353: Statements conducing to public mischief

Further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of Sydeek’s alleged involvement in Naxal-related activities. Police are also examining the digital and physical evidence recovered during the raid.