NIA Arrests Absconding Maoist Leader Chandan in Mumbai After Four Years

Brief By Newsbrief / 8:22 PM on 16 Jan 2026

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has achieved a major breakthrough with the arrest of absconding Maoist operative Chandan in Mumbai, ending a four-year manhunt. Chandan, who had been on the run since 2021, was actively involved in Maoist operations across Bihar and Jharkhand and was declared a proclaimed offender under Indian law. According to investigators, he played a key role in providing logistical support, facilitating extortion, and coordinating activities for the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation.

NIA officials said the arrest was made following sustained surveillance and intelligence-based inputs, reflecting months of meticulous groundwork. Chandan allegedly acted as a crucial link between senior Maoist leaders and ground-level operatives, helping raise funds and evade security agencies.

The agency believes his capture will significantly disrupt Maoist networks operating in the region. Chandan is expected to be produced before a special NIA court, where further custodial interrogation may be sought to uncover additional links, funding channels, and sleeper networks connected to extremist activities.