Police personnel inspect the site after RSS alleged that petrol bombs were hurled at its office, in Ranchi, Wednesday, June 17. (PTI Photo)Three people were arrested in connection with the petrol bomb attack on RSS’s Jharkhand state office in Ranchi, with police saying on Thursday that the probe has been handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and that the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been invoked.The development comes after two men allegedly hurled petrol bombs at the RSS state office in Ranchi shortly after midnight on June 17.According to Ranchi police, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted under the joint supervision of city and rural police officers analysed CCTV footage and used technical surveillance to identify the suspects. Police said two accused, Saif Ansari and Aman Ansari alias Golu, were arrested near Gajhandi railway station in Koderma while allegedly attempting to flee to another state. Based on their statements, a third accused, Sayam Sujan (21), was also arrested from Ranchi.Also Read | Congress left red-faced as cross-voting by allies costs it Jharkhand Rajya Sabha seatPolice officials said clothes allegedly worn by the accused during the attack were recovered from a drain under the Lower Bazar police station area. Four mobile phones and a car allegedly used in the incident have also been seized. Two youth hurl petrol bombs at RSS office, in Ranchi on Wednesday. (RSS Office/ANI Video Grab/Enhanced using AI)The case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Explosive Substances Act, and the UAPA.Ranchi police officers said preliminary inquiry and interrogation had not ruled out the possibility of the accused being linked to an “international module”. Citing the seriousness of the case, Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police sought the transfer of the investigation to the ATS, which has now taken over further investigation.Also Read | Why has the RSS not registered itself? The law and history behind the persistent debateEscape from custodyStory continues below this adAccording to the Ranchi SSP, one of the arrested accused, Saif Ansari, allegedly escaped from police custody while at the Kotwali police station premises. He said that Saif sought permission to use the toilet around 11.30 am and escaped after breaking a ventilation grill and a glass panel.“He was later intercepted by Mandar police during vehicle checking. While being taken to a nearby police station, he allegedly snatched a weapon from a policeman and attempted to flee again. Police claimed they opened fire in self-defence and in a limited response, injuring him in the leg. He was subsequently admitted to a hospital for treatment,” said an official statement issued by Ranchi police.BJP questions law and orderThe attack had triggered strong political reactions, with BJP leaders describing it as a serious security lapse and alleging a larger conspiracy behind the targeting of the RSS office.The Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, termed the incident serious and said an attack on the office of the RSS raised concerns over law and order and security in the state capital. Union Minister of State for Defence and Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More Tags:JharkhandRSS