Maharashtra ATS Arrests Padgha Truck Driver For Circulating Videos Of Wanted Terrorists On Social Media

Mumbai, August 15, 2026: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 35-year-old truck driver from Padgha in Thane district for allegedly downloading and circulating communally divisive video speeches by wanted terrorists, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Farhatullah Ghori and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, on social media, officials said.

The accused, identified as Sohel Razzaq Shaikh, is originally from Taloja and shifted to Padgha in 2021, sources said. He was residing in Arjunli, Padgha, and worked as a truck driver with a transport company in the area.

Instagram Group Under Scanner

According to officials, Shaikh had been active on social media since July 31, 2024, and allegedly created an Instagram group with around 200 members. He allegedly used the group to share videos featuring Ghori and Azhar. Investigators are scrutinising the content shared in the group, the identities of its members and their interactions with Shaikh to determine whether it was merely a platform for sharing such videos or served a wider purpose.

Investigators are also trying to establish how Shaikh came in contact with the material, whether he received the videos from other users and whether he had regular communication with any of the group members.

The agency is examining the digital trail to determine the duration and extent of his alleged activity and whether other individuals were involved in obtaining, storing or circulating the material.

Questioning And Digital Probe

During questioning, Shaikh allegedly told investigators that he liked listening to videos featuring Ghori and Azhar and would download and share them on social media. The ATS is now probing why he was consuming such content and whether there was any specific motive behind his activity.

Investigators are also examining Shaikh’s social media profile. Sources said references to martyrdom and his alleged expression of a desire for “shahadat” on the account are among the aspects being scrutinised. The account also allegedly carried the number 313, which investigators are examining in connection with references to the Battle of Badr, or Ghazwa-e-Badr.

Devices Seized For Forensics

During a search at Shaikh’s residence at the time of his arrest, the ATS allegedly seized a mobile phone, a SIM card, an 8GB SD card, an 8GB memory card and a 32GB pen drive.

The devices have been taken up for forensic examination. Investigators are expected to examine the stored and deleted data, social media applications, browsing history, downloaded files and communications to establish the nature and extent of Shaikh’s alleged activities.

The ATS subsequently handed Shaikh over to Padgha Police for further investigation. A case has been registered against him under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Shaikh was produced before a court in Bhiwandi, which remanded him to police custody until Monday.

Also Watch:

Four Others Questioned

Four other people have also been questioned in connection with the case, officials said. According to sources, the four had allegedly downloaded and watched videos featuring Ghori and Azhar, but investigators have so far found no evidence that they circulated the material further. The ATS is examining why they downloaded the content and whether they had any links with Shaikh or other members of the Instagram group.

To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/