Patna, August 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an absconding accused in connection with the recovery of an AK-47 assault rifle, a scope and live ammunition in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, in a case involving an alleged interstate arms-smuggling network.
The arrested accused has been identified as Bhairaw Tripathi, son of Jagat Narayan Tripathi and a resident of Sahebganj in Muzaffarpur. The NIA said Tripathi was arrested on Wednesday, August 19.
The case, registered as NIA Case No. RC-11/2024/NIA/DLI, originated from the seizure of an AK-47 rifle, its scope and live ammunition in the Fakuli police station area of ​​Muzaffarpur.
According to the agency, Tripathi allegedly conspired with other accused to smuggle sophisticated and prohibited weapons from Nagaland into Bihar. The alleged conspiracy was aimed at disrupting public peace and security and posing a threat to national security.
The case was initially registered as Fakuli Police Station Case No. 19/2024 on May 7, 2024, after district police recovered the weapon and ammunition near Murghatiya Bridge and arrested four persons.
During the investigation, the NIA filed multiple supplementary chargesheets. The first, filed on May 8, 2025, named Vikas Kumar, Satyam Kumar, Devmani Rai and Ahmed Ansari. A second chargesheet was filed against Manzoor Khan on February 20, 2026, followed by a third against Kundan Kumar alias Kundan Bhagat on April 15, 2026.
The accused have been booked under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, Sections 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.
Following Tripathi's arrest, the NIA said further investigation is underway to establish his role in the alleged arms-smuggling network and identify other persons involved in the conspiracy.