The Central Crime Branch arrested an MBA student from Bhatkal on charges of circulating derogatory MMS against Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi.
The accused Syed Waqas (24), who had come to the city a few days ago and was pursuing internship in a private company here, was picked up along with four of his friends from a rented house at Vasanthnagar here on Saturday.
While the four others identified as Osama Alamgar, Rahmathulla, Saad Kola and Mushahid, who are pursuing MBA and chartered accountancy courses, were released on Sunday after questioning, Waqas was arrested under the IT Act, a senior police officer said.
The arrest was based on a complaint filed by social activist Jayant Tinekar with the Belgaum police about an MMS he received on his mobile on May 16 with a derogatory message . Suspecting that it could be an act of terror, Mr. Tinekar filed a complaint seeking a detailed investigation.
The Belgaum police, who found the mobile number in the name of Waqas from Bhatkal, traced its location to Bangalore and alerted the CCB.
Considering it a sensitive case, the CCB and a team of police officials from Belgaum swung into action and arrested Waqas, who had come to the city a few days ago to do his internship as part of his academic requirements. Waqas was taken to Belgaum for further investigation, the police said.
“We are investigating to ascertain the purpose of his circulating the message,” a senior police officer said.
