Psychiatrist, Cop, Among 3 Named in NIA Terror Conspiracy Chargesheet
The NIA, which took over the case from the Bengaluru City Police in October 2023, had earlier chargesheeted nine accused, including absconder Junaid Ahmed.
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a chargesheet against three accused, including a psychiatrist, in a 2023 case linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyabba (LeT) in Bengaluru.
In its second supplementary chargesheet filed before a Bengaluru court on Thursday, the agency named Anees Fathima, Chan Pasha A., and Nagaraj S. under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Karnataka Prisons Act, officials said.
The NIA, which took over the case from the Bengaluru City Police in October 2023, had earlier chargesheeted nine accused, including absconder Junaid Ahmed.
The case was originally registered by the city police in July 2023 following the recovery of arms, ammunition, and digital devices from habitual offenders who had allegedly planned terror activities in Bengaluru with the intent of undermining India’s sovereignty and security, an official statement said.
Investigators said the activities were aimed at promoting LeT’s interests and were part of a larger conspiracy to facilitate the escape of T. Naseer, a life convict in multiple terror cases, during his transit from prison to court. Naseer was an undertrial in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blast cases at the time.
Among the three chargesheeted, Fathima, identified as Junaid Ahmed’s mother, allegedly provided logistical support and funds to Naseer inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. She was also accused of handling hand grenades and walkie-talkies on her son’s directions and facilitating communication among the accused.
The probe further revealed her role in harbouring key accused Salman Khan and arranging his travel documents to help him flee to Dubai. Salman was later extradited to India from the Republic of Rwanda.
Chan Pasha A, an assistant sub-inspector with the City Armed Reserve (South), Bengaluru, allegedly accepted illegal gratification from Salman for sharing escort details of Naseer, with whom he had interacted while on prisoner escort duty.
Nagaraj S, a psychiatrist on deputation at the Central Prisons Hospital, Parappana Agrahara, allegedly smuggled mobile phones into the prison and sold them to inmates. One such phone reportedly reached Naseer, enabling him to communicate with co-accused and further the terror conspiracy.
a