The National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches of 30 locations in Bengaluru in connection with its investigation into the riots last month.
Sayed Saddiq Ali, a bank recovery agency, was arrested in connection with the riots. According to the NIA, Ali, 44, is a key conspirator in the riots that ravaged the city last month. Four people were killed in the violence, including three in police shooting.
The riots had broken out on the night of August 11 over an alleged derogatory post on social media by a relative of an MLA in Congress.
The NIA had formally taken over the investigation into the riot case on Tuesday. She said Ali had been on the run since the night the riots occurred.
The agency also said it found air rifle, pellets, sharp weapons and iron bars during searches. He also said that some digital devices and many incriminating documents related to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and the Popular Front of India (PFI) were recovered in the raids.
More than 300 people, including some SDPI members, have been arrested in connection with the arson and violence in the city on August 11 evening, against the Pulakeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy and her sister for an alleged Incendiary post on social media.
The BJP has blamed SDPI, a political group from the Popular Front of India, for the unrest and demanded a ban on the organization.
However, the SDPI has rejected the charges as “unfounded”.
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