The Maharashtra Police, with assistance from the Kerala Police ATS, conducted a late-night search at the residence of Rejaz M. Sydeek, a 26-year-old Democratic Students Association (DSA) activist and independent journalist from Kerala, who was arrested earlier in Nagpur for his social media posts critical of the government.
The search, which began at 7. 30 pm on Sunday, May 11, and concluded on 10.30 pm, resulted in the seizure of several items, including Marxist literature and electronic devices, as per the seizure memo obtained by this publication.
The raid took place at Sydeek’s residence in Edappally.
Among the seized items were a book of Karl Marx and a book titled Critiquing Brahmanism by K. Murali (Ajith). Mobile phones and memory cards were also seized. However, those mobile phones were old and unused ones, sources said.
Earlier, books titled The Great Legacy of Marxism-Leninism: Lenin on the Socialist State and Only People Make Their Own History, alongside He Who Defied Death: Life and Times of Prof. G.N. Saibaba, were confiscated during his arrest in Nagpur.
Sydeek, a resident of Edappally, was arrested in Nagpur on charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 149 (preparing to wage war against the Government of India), 192 (provocation with intent to cause a riot), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 353 (statements conducive to public mischief).
The FIR filed by the Nagpur police also cited his social media posts, including one criticising the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor, where he allegedly wrote, “Indian Army Murdabad,” alongside a photo of a child.
The police further alleged that Sydeek condemned Operation Kagaar in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region.
The seizure memo, issued by the Lakadganj Police Station, stated that the items would be retained for further investigation and examination.
“You may contact P.S. Lakadganj for any queries or concerns regarding seized items,” the memo noted, signed by an officer identified as Chetansing Rajput, Police Up-Nirikshak (Sub-Inspector), Lakadganj Police Station.
Sydeek, affiliated with the left leaning student body, Democratic Students Association, was in Nagpur to meet a friend while returning to Kerala from Delhi, where he had attended a press conference on press freedom and the release of incarcerated journalists.
This marks the second FIR against him in 10 days, following a case on April 29 for participating in a pro-Kashmir protest in Kochi.
Activists associated with Sydeek have called the charges “serious,” noting that no bailable sections have been applied, raising concerns about the implications of the case.
A collective, Rejaz Solidarity Forum, announced a protest in Kochi on 12 May demanding his release.
The investigation continues as authorities probe the purpose of Sydeek’s visit to Nagpur and the source of materials allegedly linked to his activities.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com.
