The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has alleged the involvement of six persons in the Maharashtra ISIS terror module case, finding purported links to a larger conspiracy with international connections. The accused, charged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), are accused of actively propagating the violent and extremist ideology of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
According to an NIA spokesperson, the chargesheet filed against Tabish Nasser Siddiqui, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala alias “Lalabhai,” Sharjeel Shaikh, Aakif Ateeque Nachan, Zubair Noor Mohammad Shaikh alias “Abu Nusaiba,” and Adnanali Sarkar alleges their involvement in acts preparatory to terrorist violence, including recruiting individuals to the ISIS cause.
The NIA claims that the accused, arrested during multiple raids in Maharashtra in July, are members of the proscribed ISIS outfit. The alleged conspiracy aimed to further the terrorist activities of the organization to instil fear, and terror, and threaten the security of India, its secular ethos, culture, and democratic governance.
The chargesheet, filed in the court of Special NIA Judge A K Lahoti, reportedly includes testimonies from 16 protected witnesses. The agency claims to have recovered incriminating material related to “Hijrah” (migration) to Syria from the accused, along with propaganda magazines like “Voice of Hind” and “Voice of Khurasan,” published by ISIS.
The NIA spokesperson claimed, “Further, the accused had been sharing DIY (do-it-yourself) kits with their contacts. The accused were also found to be raising funds to finance their terror plans and designs.”
It is important to note that these allegations are part of an ongoing investigation, and the accused individuals will have the opportunity to present their defence in the legal proceedings.