Expanding the ambit of its investigation in the Bengaluru Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) prison radicalisation case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday searched multiple locations in six States and seized a host of digital devices and incriminating documents, along with cash.
NIA teams swooped down on the premises of suspects in various places across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Punjab, Gujarat and West Bengal on Tuesday morning, and recovered 25 mobile phones, six laptops and four storage devices, besides various incriminating documents, and cash, apart from the currency notes of various countries.
The raids and searches were carried out on the premises of Naveed, a resident of Mangaluru; Syed Khail, a resident of Bengaluru; Bijju of Dakshina Kannada; Mayur Chakroborty of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal; Navjot Singh of Gurdaspur, Punjab; Hardik Kumar of Mehsana, Gujarat; Karan Kumar of Ahmedabad; Johnson of Kasargod, Kerala; Musthaq Ahmed Sathikali and Mubith of Ramnathapuram, Tamil Nadu; and Hassan Al Bassam of Chennai.
Also read: Concern over Bengaluru central prison becoming hotbed for radicalisation
The NIA has been probing the case since October 25, 2023, and has filed a chargesheet against eight persons on January 12 this year, including absconding accused Junaid Ahmed and Salman Khan, under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention ) Act, the Arms Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.
Investigations had revealed that the absconders had established a network comprising individuals across India to promote the LeT’s activities and to route funds to various individuals anonymously.
Bengaluru connection
The case relating to radicalisation of inmates in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison by alleged LeT operative T. Nazeer was originally registered by the Bengaluru City Police following the seizure of arms and ammunition, including seven pistols, four hand grenades, one magazine, and 45 live rounds, along with four walkie-talkies. Nazeer was arrested in connection with the 2008 serial bomb blasts.
Among the absconders, Junaid, a gangster, is suspected to be hiding in the Middle East. He was arrested in 2020 in a Red Sanders smuggling case and sent to the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, where he met Nazir again. After five months in prison, he secured bail and went abroad in 2021, but was in regular touch with the other accused, according to the police. He was acting as the handler of the module. He provided logistics support, including weapons and financial aid, through his contacts.
