New Delhi: A special NIA court in Delhi has sentenced an Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative to 10 years in jail for hatching a criminal conspiracy to wage war against the government by carrying out terrorist attacks across the country.
Notably, Syed Maqbool, a resident of Nanded in Maharashtra, was the fifth accused among the total of 11, against whom the sentence has been pronounced on Thursday.
Maqbool was arrested in the case on February 28, 2013 for his active involvement with members of Indian Mujahideen based in Pakistan and India and involvement in the crime and conspiracy.
According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), it has been uncovered that the accused maintained close connections with key figures of the IM, including Riyaz Bhatkal in Pakistan, and Imran Khan and Obaid-Ur-Rehman in India.
“They conspired to execute explosive attacks at various locations in India, with a particular focus on Hyderabad. Extensive surveillance of critical sites, including those within Hyderabad, was also carried out,” said NIA in a statement.
“This case is related to a plot orchestrated by members of the Indian Mujahideen, a group responsible for orchestrating a series of devastating bombings throughout the country,” it said.
Earlier, on July 12, four accused, namely Danish Ansari, Aftab Alam, Imran Khan, and Obaid-Ur-Rehman, were found guilty under sections 18, 19, 38(2), and 39(2) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
They were sentenced to 10 years in prison. On March 31, formal charges were filed against the aforementioned individuals, as well as 10 others, including Yasin Bhatkal, Asadullah Akhtar, Zia-Ur-Rehman, Tehsin Akhter, and Hyder Ali.
The verdict was handed by the NIA Special Court in Delhi, under sections 121 and 122 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 17, 18, 19, 21, 38, 39, and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
“The trial for the remaining six accused individuals listed above, who are facing various charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is currently in progress,” said the NIA.
(IANS)
