Mumbai, Aug 31 : Justifying the arrest of five rights activists, Maharashtra's Additional Director-General of Police Parambir Singh on Friday said police have clear evidence to show their links with Maoist organisations and a larger conspiracy to overthrow the central government.
Addressing a special media briefing here, ADG Singh (law and order), exhibited certain emails, letters and other communication allegedly changing hands among the activists, whose arrests three days ago from different parts of India triggered nationwide condemnation.
"There was a bigger conspiracy plotted by the Maoist organisations to overthrow the 'lawfully established Indian government' using arms procured from countries like China and Russia and the arrested accused played a crucial role in this plan," Singh said.
On August 28, Pune Police had carried out the arrests of lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj, civil liberties activists Gautam Navlakha, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Fereira and Telugu poet P. Varavara Rao from different parts of India, as part of investigations into the January 1 Koregaon-Bhima caste riots.
Singh revealed that the five activists were in contact with separatist and extremist groups from Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur, wanted to emulate stone-pelting protests akin to Kashmir in other parts of India including urban areas and conducting meetings abroad with other groups in a bid to organise funds.
Citing that conclusive evidence was collected which establishes their links with Maoists before making the arrests, he mentioned a letter speaking of a "Rajiv Gandhi-type incident" to end the Modi Raj, and need for Rs 8 crore to procure a rocket launcher and 400,000 rounds, among other things.
On August 29, Pune's Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shirish Sardeshpande had said that the banned CPI (Maoist) was engaged in raising funds to incite civil unrest against the administration.
"They have shown intolerance to the present political system, and decided to target organisations and their officials and even the highest political functionaries," Sardesphande said in the first official comments on the August 28 swoop.
The arrests were made on a complaint lodged with Vishramgarh Police in Pune on January 8 on the December 31 Elgar Parishad, organised by the Kabir Kala Manch where allegedly inciting speeches were delivered.
The following day (January 1), Koregaon-Bhima witnessed huge protests and caste riots in which one person was killed, followed by a Maharashtra shutdown on January 3, called by the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh.
Singh said that despite the 'propaganda' to discredit the police probe, the investigators have a very strong case and all the arrests were videographed.
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Several users on ‘X’ on Thursday and Friday shared claims that LPG cylinders booked at 11:45 AM were being delivered within just two hours, prompting humorous and curious reactions online.
Booked an Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1.30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges.
— Shashi Kumar (@iShashiShekhar) March 12, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. His reply was in negative.
Meanwhile netizens quickly responded to the sudden similar bookings by many users.
One ‘X’ user tweeted, “Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11:45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1:30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges. I asked the delivery guy if there was any shortage. His reply was negative. This copy is circulating 👇.”
Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1.30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges.
— Govind Pratap Singh | GPS (@govindprataps12) March 13, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. His reply was in negative.
ये वाली कॉपी घूम रही है 👇 pic.twitter.com/DG7KkxuQxw
Another user questioned the timing, asking, “How can all book at the same time?” while a separate post wondered, “Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM?”
Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM ? #Lol
— Paritosh Vyas 🇮🇳 (@paritosh2608) March 13, 2026
Many netizens joked about the posts. One wrote, “Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinders at 11:45 AM, and surprisingly it’s getting delivered in two hours. IT cell has some special gas agency. Is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?”
Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinder at 11.45 am and surprisingly it getting delivered in 2 hours.
— Prashant Kanojia (@KanojiaPJ) March 13, 2026
IT cell has some special gas agency.
is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?
pic.twitter.com/2T3NI3qjtk
One urged, “Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too,” sharing a photo of people standing in ques.
Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too https://t.co/BUekztabvK pic.twitter.com/lRknSuQreI
— URScrewed 🇬🇧 (@URScrewed_) March 13, 2026
Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 2 30 pm without any extra cash or charges.
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) March 12, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. He replied Nope.
Then I woke up.
“Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM. I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM,” wrote another.
Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM.
— Essai Ennai (@SiniiMayo) March 13, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM.
One user asked, “What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM?” while another tweeted, “I am going to book a gas cylinder at 11:45 AM tomorrow, hope Modi Ji will deliver it by 1:30.”
What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM? pic.twitter.com/jZqEzNdCGo
— SMMH-SAB MOH MAYA HAI (@EliteCricket10) March 13, 2026
“I want to ask one thing… If I book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11:45 AM and the gas agency is unable to deliver it by 1:30 PM, will it be free like Domino’s pizza, or will I get it at some discounted price? BJP IT Cell experts, please confirm so that I can book my LPG cylinder tomorrow exactly at 11:45 AM,” said another humorously.
I want to ask one thing if...
— शाकाल (@real_shakaal) March 13, 2026
"I'll Book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11.45 AM and if Gas Agency will unable to deliver the LPG Cylinder at my doorstep by 1.30 PM tomorrow".
Will it be free like Dominos Pizza or i'll get it on some discounted price?
BJP IT Cell experts please… pic.twitter.com/UEBoBwVNNw
