The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Chennai has apprehended another significant suspect in the Tamil Nadu Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) case. Faizul Rahman identified as a Nakib and the State Amir of Hizb-ut-Tahrir for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, becomes the seventh individual arrested in connection with the case. This case pertains to a conspiracy led by Hameed Hussain and others aimed at promoting secessionism through the anti-India ideology.
Rahman was found to be actively collaborating with the other detained individuals to advocate for secessionism and solicit military support from Pakistan for the liberation of Kashmir. The conspiracy’s ultimate goal was to establish a Khilafat by overthrowing the Indian government through violent jihad. Investigations by the NIA revealed that Rahman and his associates utilized various social media platforms to disseminate their propaganda and campaigned against voting, labeling it as ‘un-Islamic/haram’ in line with Hizb-ut-Tahrir beliefs.
The arrested individuals had been propagating the violent ideology of HuT under directives from the organization’s central media office, employing encrypted communication channels to reach their followers. They conducted numerous clandestine meetings to promote HuT’s ideology and executed divisive campaigns throughout Tamil Nadu. The NIA, which took over the investigation from the Chennai City police in July 2024, continues its inquiries.
Another Key Accused in TN Hizb-ut-Tahrir Case Arrested by NIA pic.twitter.com/XNLiX5a5b1
— NIA India (@NIA_India) October 9, 2024
Earlier, the Chennai Cyber Crime Police detained six individuals under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly recruiting for Hizb ut-Tahrir in Royapettah. Those arrested included Dr. Hameed Hussain, his father Mansoor, his brother Abdul Rahman, and their associates Mohammed Maris, Khader Nawaz Sharif, and Ahmed Ali Umari.
These arrests followed an investigation revealing that the group was using YouTube campaigns to recruit for Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organization banned in several countries. The Chennai Police subsequently submitted all relevant documents to the Tamil Nadu government, leading to the NIA registering a case and expanding the investigation.
On 30 June 2024, the NIA conducted searches at 12 locations across Chennai, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, and Trichy. These raids resulted in the arrests of Abdul Rahman and Mujibur Rahman (also known as Mujibur Rahman Altham Sahib) from Thanjavur district. Authorities seized mobile phones, laptops, SIM cards, memory cards, and documents promoting Hizb ut-Tahrir, Khilafah, and Islamic State ideologies.
The NIA’s ongoing investigation suggests that those arrested had recruited members for the internationally banned organization through their online activities. The case has since been transferred from the Central Crime Branch-Cyber Crime Police to the NIA, which is now managing all related evidence and documentation.
Further inquiries will focus on the financial transactions of the arrested individuals. Officials intend to trace the flow of funds into their bank accounts and identify potential additional beneficiaries.
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