NIA Raids Multiple Locations In 7 States In LeT Prison Radicalisation Case

Expanding the ambit of its investigations in the Bengaluru Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Prison radicalisation case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday raided multiple locations in seven States and seized a host of digital devices and incriminating documents, along with cash.

NIA teams swooped down at the premises of suspects in various places across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Punjab, Gujarat and West Bengal this morning. They recovered 25 mobile phones, 6 laptops and 4 storage devices, besides various incriminating documents, and cash, apart from the currency notes of various countries.

The raids involved extensive searches at the premises of Naveed, r/o Mangaluru (Karnataka), Syed Khail, r/o Bengaluru (Karnataka), Bijju, r/o Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka), Mayur Chakrobraborty, r/o South 24 Parganas (West Bengal), Navjot Singh r/o Gurdaspur (Punjab), Hardik Kumar, r/o Mehsana (Gujarat), Karan Kumar, r/o Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Johnson, r/o Kasargod (Kerala), Musthaq Ahmed Sathikali and Mubith, both residents of Ramnathapuram (Tamil Nadu) and Hassan Al Bassam, r/o Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

NIA has been investigating the case (RC-28/2023/NIA/DLI) since 25th October 2023. The agency had, on 12th January 2024, charge-sheeted eight persons, including absconding accused Junaid Ahmed and Salman Khan, under various sections of IPC, UA(P) Act, 1967; Arms Act, 1959 and Explosive Substances Act, 1884. Investigations had revealed that the absconders had established a network of individuals across India to promote the activities of LeT and to route funds to various individuals anonymously.

The case, relating to radicalisation of inmates in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, by a LeT terrorist, was originally registered by the Bengaluru City Police following seizure of arms and ammunition, including 7 Pistols, 04 hand grenades, one magazine and 45 live rounds along with 4 walkie-talkies.

Further investigations in the case are continuing and efforts are on to nab the absconders.