NEW DELHI / BENGALURU – The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against two additional individuals in the ongoing Shivamogga ISIS conspiracy case, bringing the total number of accused to ten. The chargesheet was submitted to the NIA Special Court in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
The newly charge-sheeted individuals, Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taaha, also known as Taha, and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, alias Shazib, are identified as ISIS radicals. Both were previously charge-sheeted by the NIA in the Rameshwaram Café Blast Case and for their involvement in the Al-Hind ISIS Module in Bengaluru. Residents of Shivamogga district, Taha and Shazib were allegedly involved in radicalizing and recruiting young Muslim men, including co-accused in the current case.
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The case, initially registered by Karnataka police in September 2022 and taken over by the NIA in November 2022, pertains to the anti-India activities of the proscribed terrorist organization Islamic State (IS/ISIS). The accused are charged with engaging in violent activities such as arson, trial explosions, and the burning of the Indian National Flag. Additionally, they are accused of radicalization, recruitment, and terror funding as part of the ISIS conspiracy to spread terror and destabilize the nation.
The NIA’s third supplementary chargesheet in this case includes various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)A). The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to uncover more details about the extent of the conspiracy and the involvement of other individuals.
This development marks a significant step in the NIA’s efforts to dismantle ISIS networks in India and prevent further radicalization and recruitment of vulnerable youths.