DU professor's home raided for alleged link with Maoists

Noida: The Pune police on Tuesday conducted searches at the residence of Delhi University (DU) professor Hany Babu (45) here in connection with its probe into the 2017 Elgaar Parishad case for alleged Maoist links.

Pune assistant commissioner of police Shivaji Pawar said no arrest was made during the search operation at Mr Babu’s house in Sector 78 of Noida.

“We have conducted a search operation at Babu’s residence in Noida in connection with the Elgaar Parishad case registered at the Vishrambaug police station in Pune,” ACP Pawar said, adding that the police has recovered some electronic devices.

Mr Babu, who teaches English at the Delhi University, was booked under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy); 121 and 121A (waging or attempting to wage war against government); and 124A (sedition) among others. The Noida police also confirmed that only a search and seizure operation was conducted at his residence.

“Video recording of the whole proceeding was done, reasons for search were explained to him in English, and a copy of seizure panchnama was given with his due acknowledgement,” Noida senior superintendent of police Vaibhav Krishna said.

The Pune police team comprised a senior crime branch officer and cyber experts besides Mr Pawar, the investigation officer in the case, while the Noida police provided logistical support, he added.

The details of seizure were not available immediately. The Elgaar conclave was held at the historic Shaniwar Wada in Pune on December 31, 2017, ahead of the 200th anniversary of the battle of Koregaon Bhima.

According to the police, speeches made at the conclave aggravated the caste violence around Koregaon Bhima village in the district on January 1, 2018, in which one person was killed and several others were injured. The police has so far arrested nine people in the case.