Varanasi. The mobile phone of Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh Bhokta, a commander of the banned Naxal outfit Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), who was killed in an operation by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad, is expected to provide crucial clues about his network. The mobile recovered after the encounter has been sent to a forensic laboratory for detailed data recovery and examination. According to investigating agencies, Brijesh allegedly used the Zangi app to remain in contact with members of his organization as well as family members. Investigators are now trying to determine whom he contacted through the platform, whether he issued instructions through it and which people were active in his network.
According to agencies, Zangi’s communication system differs from conventional mobile calling. The application is reported to allow users to communicate through unique identification numbers rather than relying on a conventional mobile number or SIM card. It also reportedly provides encryption for chats and calls. Investigators suspect that Brijesh allegedly used such a system to avoid technical surveillance. The forensic examination of his mobile phone is expected to focus on available digital evidence, contacts and communication records.
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Brijesh was killed in an encounter in the Ramnagar area of Varanasi early Sunday. The ATS had received intelligence that the wanted Naxal commander from Jharkhand could enter Varanasi with an associate through the Sonbhadra-Mirzapur route. Following the information, an interception operation was launched near Ramnagar Lanka Maidan on the road from Tengra Mor towards Mughalsarai. Between around 3 am and 3:50 am, the team attempted to stop two suspected men riding a motorcycle.
According to police, Brijesh, who was sitting behind the motorcycle rider, opened fire at the ATS team. Bullets struck the bulletproof jackets of a deputy superintendent of police and a head constable near the chest area. Both personnel survived because of the protective gear. In retaliatory firing, Brijesh was hit by two bullets in the chest and fell on the road. His motorcycle-riding associate managed to escape from the spot. Brijesh was initially taken to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Hospital in Ramnagar and was later shifted to the divisional hospital at Kabirchaura, where doctors declared him dead.
Two .32-bore pistols, a carbine, a large number of cartridges and ₹1 lakh in cash were reportedly recovered from the encounter site. An X-ray of the body was conducted at the divisional hospital under security arrangements. The examination reportedly showed two bullets lodged in the right side of the chest. A postmortem was subsequently conducted and the body was handed over to the family.
According to investigating agencies, Brijesh’s alleged network extended beyond Jharkhand. He was accused of involvement in violent activities and levy collection in Jharkhand, while investigators said he had allegedly stayed in Maharashtra for several years by changing his identity. In West Bengal, agencies are examining alleged investments of money collected through levies in coal, bidi-leaf, real estate and transport businesses. Investigators are also examining assets and investments allegedly linked to his network and estimated at around ₹500 crore.
Brijesh was reportedly named in 44 criminal cases. These included cases related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, extortion, levy collection, the Arms Act, the Criminal Law Amendment Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. According to investigation records, 18 murder cases and 12 attempted murder cases were registered against him. He was earlier associated with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) before breaking away and taking command of the TSPC. He was also known by several aliases, including Gopal Singh Bhokta, Sardar, Tushar, Ranjan, Phoolchand and Dular Chand.
According to investigation records, Brijesh entered the criminal world at a young age. In 2010, he was elected unopposed as the village head of Lawalang panchayat. In 2015, he also became a panchayat samiti member, but his membership was later cancelled following action linked to alleged terror-funding activities. Several cases involving murder, kidnapping, extortion, weapons and the UAPA were reportedly registered against him in the Simaria, Tandwa and Lawalang areas.
His criminal record also reportedly included a 2012 case in Kusumahi, Hunterganj. Brijesh and his associates were accused of blowing up the house of Maoist area commander Dharmendra Yadav with explosives and subsequently attacking a police patrol team to loot weapons. His name also surfaced in cases involving the alleged killings of MGNREGA contractor Nageshwar Ganjhu, JMM leader Pradeep Mahto and others.
Brijesh’s family also had a presence in local politics. His elder brother, Ganesh Ganjhu, had served as an MLA from the Simaria assembly constituency in 2014 on a Jharkhand Vikas Morcha ticket. There were also reports of efforts by family members and relatives to persuade Brijesh to return to the mainstream and surrender.
The ATS investigation is now focused on Brijesh’s absconding associate, digital evidence recovered from his mobile phone and his alleged financial network. Investigators are trying to determine why he came to Varanasi, whom he was in contact with in the city and who helped operate the alleged network spread across three states. The forensic examination of the mobile phone is expected to provide further clues about his contacts, communications and financial activities.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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