CRPF officer jailed for leaking information to Maoists

Sanjay Kumar, an assistant commandant of 159th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of Bihar Police in Gaya district early this week. He was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a court on charge of leaking sensitive information of anti-rebel operations to Maoists, a police official said.

Sanjay Kumar was remanded in judicial custody Wednesday by the chief judicial magistrate of Sherghati in Gaya district.

According to police officials, Sanjay joined the CRPF two years ago and was posted in sensitive Maoist zone of Barachatti in Gaya. He was detained last week on the basis of evidence against him that he was leaking information to Maoists and was hand-in-glove with them.

Sanjay Kumar was interrogated after being detained.

CRPF Deputy Inspector General Chiranjeev Kumar said that he has recommended his suspension.

"The STF has solid evidence that Sanjay Kumar used to pass on vital information to Maoists and he has links with them, which is against service rules," a police official said.

Police officials said it was for the first time that a CRPF officer of the rank of assistant commandant was arrested on such serious charges.

Gaya is considered a stronghold of Maoists, where a CRPF camp is based for combing operations against them.