Bulli Bai app case: Mumbai Cops look for man who brainwashed accused

Neeraj Singh, who is being brought from Odisha, and (right) Neeraj Bishnoi are believed to be the creators of Bulli Bai app

All the accused that the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested so far in the Bulli Bai app case connected following a Twitter trend linked to #TradeMahasabha, said police. They added that the person, who started the trend, sifted through the comments to pick out people with the right-wing mindset.

Officers said that only Neeraj Singh, who is being brought to Mumbai following his arrest in Odisha, can give information about the person behind the hashtag, which was started a few months ago.

To trend #TradeMahasabha, comments targeting a certain religion were posted, police sources told mid-day. The unidentified person then contacted such people on Twitter and brainwashed them into believing that India belongs to only Hindus and people of all other faiths were outsiders, the sources added.

The people were told to work for Hindus, so that only their religion remains in India, said officers. They added the accused were also brainwashed into believing that ‘Kshatriyas, Brahmins, Vaisyas and Shudras should work according to their castes'.

Neeraj Singh and Neeraj Bishnoi, who was arrested by Delhi police and is now in Mumbai Crime Branch's custody, are the main accused in the case so far, as they have appeared to be the creators of Bulli Bai app. Police are now trying to extract information about the person behind #TradeMahasabha.

A Crime Branch officer told mid-day that the investigation so far has revealed that hatred was being spread against other religions by brainwashing people, including the arrested accused.

Another officer said, "Neeraj Singh was also involved in the Sulli Deals app case. He is being brought to Mumbai and his full role and modus operandi will be revealed during interrogation."

Police said that ‘Trade' in the hashtag meant tradition, and #TradeMahasabha meant following Indian religion and culture.