Overview

• The Mumbai Crime Branch’s CIU recreated the scene at New Navy Nagar with both arrested brothers present and conducted a formal panchanama alongside Navy police teams.
• Investigators say statements from the accused and the agniveer complainant conflict, leading them to examine the men’s prior association and communications.
• Police report the INSAS rifle with three magazines was taken on September 6 after an alleged QRT impersonation, with the brothers fleeing via Lokmanya Tilak Terminus before their September 9 arrests and the weapon’s recovery near their Telangana home.
• Lines of inquiry include alleged plans for extortion and local dominance in Asifabad and possible use in smuggling rackets, with potential Naxal links under scrutiny but no direct evidence so far.
• National agencies — the NIA, IB and ATS — have joined the investigation, and the Western Naval Command has pledged full cooperation, with Rakesh’s prior Mumbai posting cited as familiarity with the base.