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Tag: NIA

  • NIA raids five places in three states in ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ terror module case

    NIA raids five places in three states in ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ terror module case

    New Delhi (IANS). The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday carried out raids at multiple locations in three states as part of its probe into the ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ terror module operated by Pakistan-based suspects busted in Bihar last year.

    A total of five locations were raided, the official said. Raids have been conducted at one place in Bihar’s Darbhanga, two in Patna, and one each in Surat (Gujarat) and Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh).

    The official said that they have recovered incriminating material including digital devices (mobile phones, memory cards), SIM cards and documents during the raid.

    The official said, “The matter came to light after the arrest of Margub Ahmed Danish alias Tahir of Phulwari Sharif by the Bihar Police. The local police had registered the case on July 14, 2022. The NIA took over the investigation on July 22, 2022. Margub But on January 6, charges were framed under various sections of IPC and UAPA.

    The official said the accused were found to be members of a module operated by Pakistan-based operatives aimed at radicalizing impressionable youths to establish Ghazwa-e-Hind in Indian territory.

    Investigation revealed that Margoob was the administrator of a WhatsApp group ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’, which was created by a Pakistani national named Zain. He had inducted several Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Yemeni nationals into the group with the aim of setting up sleeper cells in the country to carry out terrorist activities.

    The accused had created various social media groups of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ on WhatsApp, Telegram and BIP Messenger.

    He had also created another WhatsApp group called ‘Bidigazwa e Hindbidi’ and added Bangladeshi citizens to it.

    Investigation revealed that various suspects involved in the case were in touch with handlers based in Pakistan and were involved in propagating the idea of Ghazwa-e-Hind.

    NIA raids were conducted on Sunday at the premises of these suspects in three states. Officials said further investigation is on in the matter.

  • Elgar Parishad Maoist links case: NIA opposes accused Mahesh Raut’s bail plea

    Elgar Parishad Maoist links case: NIA opposes accused Mahesh Raut’s bail plea

    Mumbai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has opposed the bail plea of Mahesh Raut, an activist arrested in the Elgar Parishad Maoist links case, alleging that he acted against the interests of the state and society.

    The probe agency in an affidavit filed in response to Raut’s bail petition said it was not justifiable for an accused, booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), to seek bail on constitutional grounds.

    Raut had in his plea had said that his custody was unwarranted and that it was against Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

    “It is not justifiable for an accused of such offence to seek relief on constitutional grounds when his acts are itself against the interest of the State and society,” the affidavit said.

    ALSO READLawrence Bishnoi has strong pro-Khalistani connection: NIA charge sheet
    The agency claimed that the alleged acts committed by Raut had a direct impact on the unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of India.

    It further said that the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency, which has “plagued this country”, has caused destruction of lives of people, police, etc.

    The NIA said this insurgency was spearheaded by the CPI (Maoist), of which Raut was a member.

    The activist was arrested in June 2018 and is presently in judicial custody.

    A division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and S G Dige on Tuesday posted Raut’s plea for hearing on July 12.

  • Lawrence Bishnoi’s key aide sent to 5-day NIA custody

    Lawrence Bishnoi’s key aide sent to 5-day NIA custody

    New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday sent Vikas Singh, a key associate of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, to five-day National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody in a case related to the Rocket-propelled Grenade (RPG) attack on Punjab Police’s intelligence headquarters in Mohali in May 2022.

    The agency produced the accused before vacation judge Pawan Kumar of the Patiala House Courts, and sought his seven-day custody for further interrogation.

    Singh, a resident of Lucknow, was arrested on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in harbouring Deepak Surakhpur and Divyanshu, both residents of UP’s Faizabad, of the Lawrence Bishnoi terror syndicate.

    The two were involved in various criminal cases, including the RPG attack.

    Appearing for the NIA, the special public prosecutor submitted that Singh’s custodial interrogation is required to unfurl the criminal conspiracy and his links with the co-accused.

    However, advocate Amit Sinha, appearing for Singh, opposed NIA’s request for remand.

    Considering the facts and submissions, the court observed that custodial interrogation of the accused is required.

    “Accordingly, the application is allowed and the accused be sent to five-day NIA custody,” the court ordered.

    Judge Kumar also directed that the accused should be produced before the court again on June 26, adding that he also has to be medically examined according to the rules.

    The present case relates to the terrorist-gangster conspiracy hatched by members of the Bishnoi syndicates based in India and abroad to raise funds and recruit youth to carry out terrorist acts in Delhi and other parts of the country.

    The investigations so far have shown that the conspiracy was hatched in jails of different states and was being executed by an organised network of operatives based abroad.

    The NIA investigation has revealed that Surakhpur was introduced to Singh by Vicky Midhukhera, another associate and friend of Bishnoi. Singh had connected Divyanshu, who was already known to him, to the Bishnoi syndicate.

    The duo was also involved in numerous targeted contract killings, including those of businessman Sanjay Biyani in Maharashtra and gangster Rana Kandhowalia in Punjab. Singh also harboured another accused named Rinku after Kandowalia’s murder.

    The NIA has arrested 15 accused to date and has charged 14 accused, including Lawrence Bishnoi, in the terror-gangster conspiracy case.

    The NIA had filed the charge sheet in the instant case on March 24 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Arms Act.

  • NIA Attaches 17 Properties Of Terror Financing Accused In Jammu And Kashmir

    NIA Attaches 17 Properties Of Terror Financing Accused In Jammu And Kashmir

    The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took a significant step in the Hurriyat terror funding case by attaching 17 properties belonging to Zahoor Ahmed Shah Watali, a key accused involved in financing terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the reports by Hindustan Times, this move comes as part of the ongoing investigation, which previously led to the conviction of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) commander Yasin Malik and the chargesheeting of other prominent figures such as Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin.

    The case, registered by the NIA in May 2017, revolves around the activities of Pakistan-backed organizations like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), JKLF, and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) that have been responsible for spreading terror and carrying out violent attacks on civilians and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA Court, acting under section 33(1) of the UA(P) Act, ordered the attachment of Watali’s properties located in the Handwara area of Kupwara in Kashmir.Investigations conducted by the NIA uncovered a web of connections, revealing that these banned terror groups had been utilizing the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) as a front to support secessionist activities in the Kashmir valley. The accused, including the APHC, were found to be part of a criminal conspiracy aimed at inciting the general public and fostering a charged atmosphere in the region to further their secessionist agenda. Watali, acting as a hawala conduit, had been channeling funds received from various sources to Hurriyat leaders in order to promote the secession of Jammu & Kashmir from India.

    NIA’s investigation also exposed Watali’s financial transactions with Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 2001 Parliament attacks and the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks. Foreign remittances amounting to crores of rupees were traced to Watali’s accounts between 2011 and 2013, with unexplained remittances discovered in his NRE Bank accounts and his Proprietorship Firm named M/s ‘Trisson International’. Moreover, the agency revealed discrepancies in the ownership of a plot of land claimed by Watali’s company, M/s ‘Trison Farms and Constructions Pvt. Ltd.’, highlighting further complexities in the case.

  • NIA raids Jharkhand and Bihar in murder case linked to CPI (Maoist)

    NIA raids Jharkhand and Bihar in murder case linked to CPI (Maoist)

    New Delhi (IANS) | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recently conducted raids at seven places in Jharkhand and Bihar in connection with the murder of Naresh Singh Bhokta by banned terrorist organization CPI (Maoist). An official gave this information on Thursday. Bhokta was abducted and murdered on November 2, 2018, at a so-called ‘Jan Adalat’ (public hearing) convened by the banned terrorist organization by the top leadership of CPI (Maoist) and Naxal cadres. His body was found near Badhai Bigha village under Madanpur police station area of Aurangabad district of Bihar.

    The probe agency carried out searches at the premises of the accused and suspects in Gaya and Aurangabad districts of Bihar and Palamu in Jharkhand.

    Searches were conducted at the residential premises of five arrested CPI (Maoist) commanders and two suspected OGWs/supporters. Various digital devices, mobile phones, SIM cards as well as incriminating documents were seized during the search.

    Initially the case was being handled by the Bihar Police, but later on 4 June 2022 it was handed over to the NIA.

    A total of nine people have been arrested in the case so far. In February 2023, the NIA filed a supplementary charge sheet against one of the accused, Ajay Singh Bhokta.

    During the investigation, the NIA detected the involvement of top CPI (Maoist) commanders in the assassination conspiracy and recovered the weapons and vehicles used in the assassination, the official said.

    –IANS

  • NIA court verdict, 2 sentenced to so many years in jail in fake note case

    NIA court verdict, 2 sentenced to so many years in jail in fake note case

    A special NIA court in Gujarat has sentenced two accused to life imprisonment in connection with the investigation of the Junagadh fake note conspiracy case. The court sentenced Sanjaykumar Mohanbhai Devalia to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and Tahir alias Kalia to seven years rigorous imprisonment. The accused were buying fake currency from West Bengal and selling it in Gujarat.
    While sentencing, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each on both the accused. The case was originally registered in 2018 by the Gujarat ATS on specific inputs shared by the NIA. Later it was taken over by the NIA.
    The accused were arrested due to professional and scientific investigation by the NIA, the official said. NIA probe revealed that Devalia had traveled by air to Kolkata and then by train to New Farakka Junction. There, on October 17, 2018, he met Tahir and bought fake currency against genuine Indian currency of 20,000. Devalia was later arrested in Gujarat. Fake notes were also found from him.
    During the investigation, the NIA recorded statements of witnesses, took voice samples of the accused, examined mobile records and collected other documentary evidence to unearth the conspiracy and gather prosecution evidence.
    After completion of investigation, charge sheet was filed against the accused.

  • Kerala: NIA arrests PFI member accused of killing RSS leader Srinivasan

    Kerala: NIA arrests PFI member accused of killing RSS leader Srinivasan

    NEW DELHI: In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another Popular Front of India (PFI) member who was wanted in the gruesome murder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Srinivasan in Kerala’s Palakkad district in April last year.

    The accused, Saheer KV, was absconding since the crime and was carrying a reward of Rs 4,00,000.

    An NIA Fugitive Tracking Team (FTT) tracked him to a relative’s house in Palakkad district and arrested him.

    A resident of Palakkad, Saheer was part of the PFI Assault and Protection Team that had carried out the targeted killing. Saheer was also responsible for providing protection to the main assailants of Srinivasan.

    NIA investigations showed that the accused, who was PFI’s Pattambi Area President, was involved in various conspiracies of the PFI leaders to eliminate Srinivasan, as part of the banned outfit’s bigger scheme to create terror among members of a particular community and to establish Islamic Rule in India by 2047.

    Earlier on March 17, the NIA filed a chargesheet against 59 accused, including the PFI as an organisation in the case. One of these accused, identified as Abdul Naser, died on January 2 this year, said the NIA, adding “Efforts are on to track and trace the remaining 11 absconding accused, out of the total of 59 identified as involved in the conspiracy so far.”

  • NIA files supplementary charge sheet in Praveen Nettaru murder case

    NIA files supplementary charge sheet in Praveen Nettaru murder case

    New Delhi (IANS): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said that they have filed a supplementary charge sheet against two more accused in connection with the 2022 murder case of BJP Yuva Morcha leader leader Praveen Nettaru in Karnataka.

    One of the two accused named in the charge sheet, identified as Thufail M.H., who had been absconding, was tracked down and arrested by an NIA team in Bengaluru.

    Both the accused — Thufail- and Mohammad Jabir — have been charged under various sections of IPC and UA (P) Act.

    With this, a total of 21 accused persons have been chargesheeted in the case.

    The murder, which took place on July 26, 2022 in Bellare village, Dakshina Kannada district, had sent shockwaves in the state.

    Nettaru was murdered in full public view by members of the now banned Popular Front of India (PFI) “with the intention to strike terror in the society and create fear among the people”, according to the probe agency.

    The initial chargesheet was filed by the NIA on January 20 this year.

    The central probe agency had then stated that the PFI had formed secret ‘hit squads’, ‘Service Teams’ or ‘Killer Squads’ to carry out the killing of its ‘perceived enemies and targets.’

    NIA investigations also revealed that Thufail, a resident of Kodagu, was in-Charge of the PFI Service Teams in the district and also a ‘PFI Master Trainer’ who would regularly impart advanced training, including arms training to the banned outfit’s cadres at the Freedom Community Hall, in neighbouring Dakshina Kannada.

    He had harboured the three assailants in the murder case in Kodagu and Mysuru districts of Karnataka and in Erode district of Tamil Nadu, as per investigations by the NIA.

    Meanwhile, Jabir was the PFI Puttur District President and had actively participated in the conspiracy meeting where it was decided to recce and murder Nettaru.

    Further investigations into the case, which was initially registered as FIR number 63/2022 dated July 27, 2022 at Bellare Police Station of Dakshina Kannada district and re-registered by the NIA on August 4, 2022, are continuing.

  • Kerala train fire: NIA takes over probe

    Kerala train fire: NIA takes over probe

    Kochi (IANS) | The Kochi unit of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday took over the probe into the Kerala train burning case. The Union Home Ministry has issued a notification following which the probe agency lodged an FIR in the NIA court here. Meanwhile, 27-year-old accused Shahrukh Saifi, a resident of Delhi, was produced in a Kozhikode court. His police custody had ended.

    With the NIA taking over the investigation, the Kerala Police – Special Investigation Team did not seek extended custody and hence Shahrukh Saifi was sent to judicial custody.

    In the coming days, the Kochi unit will seek Saifi’s custody to solve the case and find out his motive. On April 2, Shahrukh Saifi set ablaze a coach of a moving train in Kozhikode by pouring petrol.

    He later traveled to Kannur by the same train and after a few hours boarded another train and got down at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. Three passengers died of fear by jumping off the moving train, while nine others sustained burn injuries.

    It was only after the intervention of central agencies that the ATS division of the Maharashtra Police was alerted that Saifi was in Ratnagiri and arrested. Saifi was handed over to the Kerala Police, and taken to Kozhikode. Till Tuesday he was in the custody of Kerala SIT.

    It was clear on Monday that the NIA would take over the probe in the case when SIT chief ADGP MR Ajit Kumar told the media that Saifi was a highly radicalized person and the probe team found that right from boarding the train to What did he do till his arrest in Ratnagiri.

    Earlier, Kerala BJP president K.K. Surendran strongly criticized the Kerala government for its soft approach towards terrorism-related incidents. He said, it has been more than two weeks since this incident and the police have not yet taken any action against those who helped Saifi.

    No one has a clue as to who prepared his food as a tiffin box was found on the track near Alathur (the place where the fire broke out), Surendran said. There are many answers to be revealed. Kerala government is more interested in vote bank politics and hence such things happen here.

    –IANS

  • Tamil Nadu BJP cadre murder death case might be handed over to NIA

    Tamil Nadu BJP cadre murder death case might be handed over to NIA

    PUDUCHERRY: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recommended the Ministry of Home Affairs to hand over the murder case of BJP functionary Senthil Kumar (42), who was hacked to death at Villianur on March 27. The matter is pending approval with the MHA.

    According to highly placed sources, two teams from NIA have visited Puducherry twice since the murder and collected details about the case. “First, a team led by an Inspector arrived, followed by a team led by a Sub-Inspector. We have shared the FIR with them, among other details gathered during the investigation, including those related to the explosives. They have now recommended it to the MHA. A response will take about two weeks,” said the source.

    Party sources said Kumar was a close aide of the union territory’s Home Minister A Namassivayam. He was earlier with the Congress but followed Namassivayam on the latter’s way out to join the saffron party. Subsequently, he became the BJP’s block president in the Mangalam constituency.

    Kumar was attacked last month when he was waiting near a bakery. A group of motorcycle-borne assailants hurled two country-made bombs and hacked him to death before fleeing the spot. In a turn of events, all seven accused surrendered to the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Trichy the next day. Police are interrogating three other persons in connection with the case.

    Kumar was also into real estate in addition to other businesses. “Real estate-related rivalry could be the motive behind the murder, but the case has a murky background,” said a police official. Meanwhile, former CM V Narayanasamy demanded a CBI probe on Tuesday. There are reports of nexus between some police personnel and the accused, suggesting the investigation by local police may not be a fair one, he said. There have been allegations from certain quarters that Senthil Kumar’s stature was growing in the constituency, which could have translated into an MLA. Hence, he was “eliminated” for political gains by someone who is eyeing Mangalam constituency for the next Assembly elections, he said.

    Raising the issue in the Assembly, Leader of Opposition R Siva said that police failed to act despite Kumar having lodged complaints earlier claiming threat to life. “The murder of a ruling party functionary in public is an indication of the prevailing law and order situation in the union territory,” he said.