Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 23 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (UP ATS) has busted a racket that was fraudulently collecting donations worth crores of rupees in the name of aid to Gaza war victims, said the police.

In this case, the ATS arrested three accused, Mohammad Ayan, Zaid Notiyar, and Abu Sufian, from Bhiwandi, Maharashtra.

ADG Law and Order, Amitabh Yash, stated that the ATS received information that some individuals were running a crowdfunding campaign on social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp in the name of helping children and women affected by the Gaza war.

Donations were being solicited from the public through emotional videos and messages. However, the huge amount of money collected did not reach the war victims; instead, the accused embezzled it through their own UPI.

Following an investigation, the ATS filed a case against the three accused, Mohammad Ayan, Zaid Notiyar, and Abu Sufian, at the ATS police station in Lucknow. All three were arrested in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, on September 20. After obtaining transit remand from the court, the accused will be brought to Lucknow for further investigation.

Earlier on September 17, after the Gorakhpur incident where a 19-year-old NEET aspirant, Deepak Gupta, was killed by cattle smugglers, police have arrested key accused Rahim after an encounter on Tuesday.

According to officials, the encounter took place during a joint operation by Pipraich police of Gorakhpur district and the Kushinagar police team in Mauachapi village.Rahim, who was on the run after the killing, sustained injuries during the exchange of fire and was subsequently taken into custody.

He was shifted to a local hospital for treatment under police supervision.Deepak Gupta's death has sparked violent protests, stone pelting, and a road blockade, which led to injuries to SP North Jitendra Srivastava and Pipraich Police Station in-charge, Puroshattam Anand Singh. (ANI)