Bhubaneswar: The Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested a 22-year-old man from Bhubaneswar on suspicion of links with terrorist organisations, Commissionerate Police said on Saturday.

The accused, identified as Sheikh Imran alias S.K. Imran, was apprehended from a rented accommodation in Ganga Nagar locality, Unit-6, under Capital police limits. He has been accused of posting anti-India slogans on social media and allegedly receiving funds from terror-linked sources.

Arrest follows social media probe linking radical group in Delhi to Odisha

The arrest comes after Delhi Police launched an investigation into a group of youths in the national capital allegedly involved in sharing radical content on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Signal. During interrogation and analysis of their digital activity, investigators uncovered links extending to Odisha.

Acting on this input, the Special Cell, in coordination with the Commissionerate Police in Bhubaneswar, conducted an operation on April 10 and detained Imran from the Unit-6 area.

Alleged role in radical network

Preliminary investigation suggests that Imran, an unemployed youth, had become an active member of a radical online group. Officials said he was in contact with closed groups on messaging platforms where content aimed at religious radicalisation was circulated, posing a threat to national security.

Sources further indicated that Imran had allegedly been in touch with Pakistan-based terror organisations during his stay in Delhi over the past two to three years.

Hideout in Bhubaneswar

After a crackdown in Delhi following the Ministry of Home Affairs’ move to ban 17 organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, Imran is believed to have relocated to Bhubaneswar around six to seven months ago, considering it a safe haven.

Local police had earlier questioned him after receiving intelligence inputs and kept him under surveillance.

Transit remand granted

Imran was produced before the SDJM court in Bhubaneswar on Friday, following which he was handed over to the Delhi Police on transit remand for further investigation.

Officials said the probe is ongoing to ascertain the extent of his links and possible involvement in a wider network.