Bengaluru prison radicalisation case: NIA chargesheets 3 more accused

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday said it has chargesheeted three more accused in connection with the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case linked to the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit.The central agency filed a secondary supplementary chargesheet on Thursday, naming Anees Fathima, Chan Pasha A and Dr Nagaraj S. They have been charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 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 case from the local police in October 2023, had earlier chargesheeted nine accused, including absconder Junaid Ahmed.
According to the agency, Anees Fathima, identified as Junaid Ahmed’s mother, provided logistical support and funds to T Naseer inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru. Investigations revealed that she was also involved in handling hand grenades and walkie-talkies on her son’s directions and facilitated communication between various accused. The NIA further said she played a key role in harbouring prime accused Salman Khan and helped him flee to Dubai by arranging travel documents. Salman Khan was later extradited to India from the Republic of Rwanda.The probe also found that Chan Pasha A, an Assistant Sub Inspector with the City Armed Reserve–South, Bengaluru City, received illegal gratification from Salman Khan for sharing sensitive information related to the escort details of T Naseer, with whom he had established connections while on prisoner escort duty.
Dr Nagaraj S, a psychiatrist deputed at the Central Prisons Hospital, Parappana Agrahara, was allegedly involved in illegally smuggling mobile phones into the prison and selling them to inmates for cash. One such phone reportedly reached T Naseer, who used it to communicate with co-accused and further the terror conspiracy, the agency said.The NIA said efforts are continuing to trace and apprehend other absconding accused.The case was originally registered by the Bengaluru City police in July 2023 following the recovery of arms, ammunition and digital devices from habitual offenders. The accused had allegedly planned to carry out terror acts in Bengaluru with the intent of undermining India’s sovereignty and security. Investigations revealed that the activities, aimed at promoting LeT’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 between the prison and the court. Naseer was an undertrial prisoner in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blast cases at the time.

(State Correspondent)