A man was arrested by Gautam Budh Nagar police for allegedly posting a ‘provocative’ and ‘misleading’ video on X, targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The suspect, identified as Sheikh Ataul (40), is a Delhi resident originally from Malda in West Bengal. He was apprehended near the Sector 37 bus stand in Noida on Tuesday.

Police has recovered a .315 bore country made pistol with live ammunition, knife, mobile phone, and offensive photographs from him.

On December 16, the Gautam Budh Nagar media cell filed a complaint with the police after a purported video clip surfaced on X. According to the police, the video allegedly contained incendiary statements, including false claims that Yogi Adityanath was “destroying mosques.” Police stated that the video was intended to disrupt the peace and integrity of the country.

During interrogation, Ataul revealed that he hails from the India-Bangladesh border in Malda. Police stated that he also confessed to making the alleged video. After leaving Malda, Ataul had been staying in Shaheen Bagh for a long time. It is said that, Ataul has no prior criminal record. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether he is a part of a larger network or plot.