NIA chargesheets 3 more accused in 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case linked to LeT | Bengaluru News
BENGALURU: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed charges against three more individuals in the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case, linked to the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.In its second supplementary chargesheet, filed Thursday before a special court, the NIA named Anees Fathima, Chan Pasha A, and Dr Nagaraj S, charging them under several laws, including the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Karnataka Prisons Act.The NIA, which took over the investigation from the local police in October 2023, had earlier filed charges against nine other accused, including absconder Junaid Ahmed.The case, originally registered by Bengaluru City Police in July 2023, revolved around the seizure of arms, ammunition, and digital devices from habitual offenders who were allegedly planning terror activities in the city, posing a threat to India’s sovereignty and security.The NIA stated that these actions, intended to further Lashkar-e-Taiba’s interests, were part of a larger conspiracy to facilitate the escape of T Naseer—a life convict in multiple terror cases—while being transported from prison to court. Naseer had been an under-trial prisoner in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blast cases.Of the three newly chargesheeted individuals, Anees Fathima has been identified as the mother of absconder Junaid Ahmed.As per the NIA, Anees Fathima had provided logistical support and funds to T Naseer inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prisons in Bengaluru. “She was also involved in handling of hand grenades and walkie-talkies on her son’s directives, and had facilitated communications between the various accused.”NIA investigations further revealed that Anees Fathima played a key role in sheltering a prime accused, Salman Khan, and aiding his escape to Dubai by arranging travel documents. Salman was later extradited to India from the Republic of Rwanda.The agency also stated that Chan Pasha A, an Assistant Sub-Inspector at the City Armed Reserve-South, Bengaluru, received illegal gratification from Salman in exchange for sharing details about the escort of T Naseer, with whom he had connections while on prisoner escort duty.It also said that Dr Nagaraj S, a psychiatrist on deputation at Central Prisons Hospital, Parappana Agrahara, was involved in illegally smuggling mobile phones into the prison and selling them to the inmates for cash. “One of these phones had reached T Naseer, who used it to communicate with his co-accused to conspire for promoting the terror plot,” said the NIA in a statement.The anti-terror agency further said it is continuing its efforts to track the absconders in the case (RC-28/2023/NIA/DLI). (With agency inputs)
