Archive · 17 Nov 2025
IT Professional Linked to Al-Qaeda Arrested for Radical Preaching
A software engineer from Pune, Zubair Hangargekar, was arrested for having links with Al-Qaeda and trying to recruit people.
He was preaching against democracy and discussing topics like 'Ghazwa-e-Hind' and 'replacing democracy' with youngsters.
The ATS is investigating his devices, which contain extremist content and bomb-making manuals.
Zubair Hangargekar, 37, arrested by Maharashtra ATS under UAPA
Alleged links with Al-Qaeda and AQIS, preaching against democracy
Created Telegram groups discussing topics like 'Ghazwa-e-Hind' and 'replacing democracy'
Radicalized after meeting terror suspects in 2015, studied Al-Qaeda attacks
ATS probing 1TB data from his devices, including Al-Qaeda magazines and bomb-making manuals
- Who
- Zubair Hangargekar, a 37-year-old IT professional from Pune
- What
- Arrested for alleged links with Al-Qaeda and AQIS, radical preaching, and creating extremist Telegram groups
- When
- October 27, 2022
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra
- Why
- To recruit people for Al-Qaeda and AQIS, and spread radical ideology
Prosecution
Defense
Preaching against democracy
Prosecution
Hangargekar was actively preaching against democracy and urging youth to boycott India’s democratic process.
Defense
Defense may argue that his speeches were misinterpreted or taken out of context.
Links with Al-Qaeda
Prosecution
ATS alleges Hangargekar was trying to recruit people for Al-Qaeda and AQIS.
Defense
Defense may dispute the evidence of these links or argue that he was merely expressing his religious beliefs.
- Age
- 37
- Occupation
- Software Engineer
- Arrested Under
- Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)
- Devices Seized
- 12 cell phones, 6 laptops, 4 hard discs, 2 pen drives, 1 sim card
- Data to be Investigated
- 1TB of data from his devices