NEW DELHI, Aug 14: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another accused in connection with the murder of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar in Punjab’s Nangal, officials said on Friday.
The accused, Manveer Ram alias Ashu, was detained by immigration authorities at Amritsar International Airport on Thursday after the NIA’s Look Out Circular (LOC) against him was flagged.
Following his detention, the anti-terror agency formally arrested him. He is expected to be produced before the Special NIA Court for further proceedings, according to an official statement.
The case pertains to the killing of Prabhakar, a local VHP leader in Nangal. The NIA assumed charge of the investigation on May 9, 2024, and has since filed a chargesheet as well as two supplementary chargesheets in the case.
According to the agency’s investigation, the murder was allegedly planned by Germany-based handlers associated with the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The handlers have been identified as Harjit Singh alias Laddi and Kulbeer Singh alias Sidhu.
The agency said its investigation established that Ram had been recruited to arrange firearms intended for carrying out the targeted killing.
Investigators further found that Ram operated from the United Arab Emirates and allegedly served as an intermediary between the overseas conspirators, firearm suppliers and other associates in India.
The NIA alleged that his responsibilities included facilitating communication between the foreign-based handlers and their operatives in India, thereby helping coordinate the execution of the conspiracy.
His arrest is expected to assist the agency in establishing the wider network allegedly involved in the murder and tracing the roles of other individuals linked to the conspiracy.
The investigation into the case remains ongoing.