Bengaluru NIA Court Sentences Al-Hind ISIS Case Accused to 7 Years in Jail

A Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Bengaluru has sentenced Syed Fasiur Rehaman to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the Al-Hind ISIS terror conspiracy case. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 48,000 on him following his conviction.

The case centres on a conspiracy involving the proscribed terrorist organisation ISIS, in which members of the Al-Hind module allegedly planned targeted killings aimed at provoking communal unrest and advancing extremist objectives. Investigators noted that several key planning meetings were held at the residence of the alleged mastermind, Mehaboob Pasha, in Gurappanapalya, Bengaluru.

According to the NIA, Fasiur Rehaman participated in these conspiratorial meetings in Gurappanapalya and purchased equipment, including tents and knives from a Decathlon outlet, to support jungle-camp training organised for members of the terror module. The broader objective of the group was to establish an ISIS or Daesh Wilayah, or province, within India.

The case was initially registered by the Karnataka Police in Bengaluru on January 10, 2020. The NIA subsequently took over the investigation and re-registered the case on January 23, 2020. Since taking charge of the probe, the agency has filed three chargesheets naming 20 accused persons.

Rehaman is the second person to be convicted in the case. Earlier, co-accused Haneef Khan was convicted on July 14 after pleading guilty during the trial.

The NIA stated that its investigation remains ongoing as officers continue efforts to identify and trace an online handler who coordinated the conspiracy and directed the formation of the terror module.