Mumbai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday secured the conviction of Adnanali Sarkar in the Maharashtra ISIS terror module case, officials said. The Special Court (NIA) in Mumbai held him guilty under Sections 13, 18, 20, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Sections 201 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Source: IANS via Fresh Headline

Fifth accused in the case; trial of five others continues

The court sentenced Sarkar to rigorous imprisonment for a maximum period of six years and imposed a total fine of Rs 65,000. Sarkar was the fifth accused in the case registered by NIA Mumbai. All six chargesheeted accused continue to remain in judicial custody, and while Sarkar has now been convicted and sentenced, the trial against the remaining five accused will continue.

Source: Nation Press

The central agency had taken up the investigation suo motu on June 28, 2023, after receiving information from the Ministry of Home Affairs about a conspiracy by ISIS members aimed at threatening the unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of India, officials said.

During the probe, investigators said they uncovered a wider conspiracy with international linkages involving foreign-based ISIS handlers. According to the NIA, the accused were propagating the banned outfit's extremist ideology, recruiting new members, raising funds for terrorist activities and circulating ISIS propaganda material, including the magazines 'Voice of Hind' and 'Voice of Khurasan', which were used to radicalise and motivate supporters.

A total of six persons were chargesheeted in the case: Tabish Nasser Siddiqui, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala alias Lalabhai, Sharjeel Shaikh, Aakif Ateeque Nachan, Zubair Noor Mohammad Shaikh alias Abu Nusaiba, and Adnanali Sarkar.