On Wednesday (11 October 2023), the NIA conducted extensive raids across six states in connection with the Phulwari Sharif case in Bihar, targeting individuals linked to the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI).
The searches were done in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and the Delhi-NCR region based on intelligence about the suspects.
In Tamil Nadu, the NIA conducted searches at the residence of A. Thajuddin Haamidih alias Muhammad Tajuddin in Madurai as part of the investigation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The NIA team arrived at Haamidih’s residence on Kazimar Street near Madurai Periyar Bus Stand at approximately 5 AM and carried out the search for around an hour. Subsequently, they brought him to the premises of the Police Club of the Madurai City Police for questioning. It has now emerged that Mohammad Tajuddin was interrogated in connection with this case. Local law enforcement reported that the NIA located Haamidih through phone contacts. However, Haamidih strongly maintained that he had never been to Bihar and had no connection to the case under investigation.
Following the inquiry, the NIA confiscated his cellphone and SIM card, which have been taken into their custody.
It’s worth noting that this raid is also reportedly part of the ongoing investigation into bomb attacks that occurred in major cities, including Lucknow and Hyderabad. Additionally, Mohammad Tajudeen is alleged to have ties with the radical Islamist outfit Popular Front of India. Both the Madurai Metropolitan Police and NIA are actively involved in this investigation. A few reports by media houses note that he is wanted in the “Fake Passport Case”.
Phulwari Sharif Case
The case under scrutiny involves individuals associated with the PFI who are suspected of engaging in unlawful and anti-national activities, including their assembly in the Phulwari Sharif area of Patna, Bihar. A few individuals had conspired to “disturb” the proposed visit of Prime Minister Modi to Bihar. The NIA has found that the criminal conspiracy was devised with the intention to carry out acts of terror and violence, leading to a climate of fear and posing a threat to the nation’s unity and integrity. To advance their conspiracy, the accused arranged rented accommodation in Ahmad Palace in Phulwari Sharif, using it for training in violent activities and conducting conspiratorial meetings.
The NIA explained, “The accused also collected funds, recruited members, organized trainings, and encouraged its members to establish Islamic Rule in India.”
On January 7, this year, the NIA filed a charge-sheet against the four arrested accused in a special court in Patna under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Subsequently, on August 3 of the same year, the NIA filed a supplementary charge-sheet against four additional accused. These individuals were involved in promoting the ideology of the banned outfit and planning criminal acts by arranging arms and ammunition.
Initially registered on July 12, 2022, at Phulwari Sharif Police Station, the NIA took over the case and re-registered an FIR on July 22, 2022 and several individuals were detained. During the course of their investigations, the NIA arrested Athar Parvej, Md Jalaluddin Khan, Nooruddin Zangi (alias advocate Nooruddin), and Arman Malick (alias Imteyaz Anwer) for their alleged involvement in this case.
To date, the NIA has arrested a total of 16 individuals in this case. In August of this year, the 16th accused, identified as Shahid Reza from the Chakia area of East Champaran district in Bihar, was arrested.
AIADMK Urging DMK To Release Muslim Prisoners Including 1998 Coimbatore Blast Convicts
On 10 October 2023, AIADMK, under the leadership of Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), introduced a calling attention motion over the issue of releasing Muslim prisoners including those who have been convicted for the 1998 Coimbatore Bomb Blasts.
The motion called for releasing over 36 Muslim prisoners including the 16 convicts sentenced to life in the 1998 Coimbatore Blasts case on humanitarian grounds considering their long sentences served, old age and health.
On February 14, 1998, a series of powerful bomb explosions rocked Coimbatore, resulting in a tragic loss of life and extensive injuries. The attack targeted a public rally organised by the BJP during the campaign stage of the 1998 Lok Sabha elections. These blasts comprised 12 high-intensity explosions that killed 58 people and injured over 250 individuals.
Chief Minister M K Stalin criticized the AIADMK for its sudden concern for Muslim prisoners serving life sentences, highlighting their past support for the Citizenship Amendment Act. Stalin questioned the AIADMK’s sudden advocacy for Muslim prisoners, emphasizing that they did nothing during their 10-year rule to address this issue. However, CM Stalin expressed his government’s willingness to consider the Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s views on the early release of prisoners.
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