National Investigation Agency nabs three in LeT prison radicalisation case

In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested three key accused, including a prison psychiatrist and a police officer, during a coordinated crackdown in Karnataka as part of its probe into the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) prison radicalisation case of 2023.The arrests took place yesterday following extensive searches at five locations across Bengaluru and Kolar districts.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Dr Nagaraj, Psychiatrist at Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru; ASI Chand Pasha of the City Armed Reserve police; and Anees Fathima, mother of absconding accused Junaid Ahmed.According to the NIA, the raids led to the seizure of digital devices, cash, gold, and incriminating documents from the residences of the accused and other suspects.

The case, registered as RC-28/2023/NIA/DLI, pertains to a conspiracy by habitual offenders to carry out terror activities in Bengaluru. The agency has linked the plot to the banned terror outfit LeT, with the aim of disrupting law and order and promoting extremist ideology.

Investigations revealed that Dr Nagaraj was smuggling mobile phones into prison for high-profile convicts, including Tadiyandaveed Naseer alias T Naseer, a life-term convict in terror-related cases. He was reportedly aided by an associate named Pavithra. NIA searched both their residences during the operation.

Anees Fathima, meanwhile, is accused of relaying instructions from her son Junaid Ahmed, currently absconding, to Naseer inside prison and facilitating terror funding.The NIA also disclosed that ASI Pasha had accepted bribes in 2022 to leak sensitive details regarding Naseer's court escort schedules. So far, nine persons, including Junaid Ahmed have been chargesheeted under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.Efforts are ongoing to apprehend remaining absconders and uncover the wider network.(UNI)<>