ISIS-Linked Accused Alleges Army Impersonation and Covert Operation Offer in Mumbai Court Case
In a startling development in a high-profile terrorism case, Areeb Majeed, an accused linked to the Islamic State (ISIS), has claimed that two individuals impersonating Indian Army officers approached him with a proposition to "wipe out" his ongoing trial if he agreed to participate in a covert operation. The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai has taken serious note of the allegations and has formally sought responses from both the NIA and local police authorities.
Court Describes Incident as Serious Interference with Justice
Special NIA Court Judge Chakor Baviskar, while reviewing Majeed's application on Wednesday, characterized the reported event as a "serious incident involving suspected impersonation, attempted inducement, subsequent pressure, and interference with the fair administration of justice." The judge has issued official notices to the Bazar Peth police station in Kalyan, located in Thane district, and to the NIA, demanding their detailed responses to Majeed's complaint. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 4 to further examine the matter.
Detailed Account of the Alleged Encounter
According to the application filed by Majeed through his legal representatives, the incident unfolded on February 21, 2026. Majeed was attending college when his wife contacted him to report that an unidentified man and woman had arrived at their residence in Kalyan and were insisting on waiting inside for his return. The woman, who identified herself as an officer from the Indian Army, allegedly spoke to Majeed over the telephone, claiming she was accompanied by a senior Colonel-rank officer from New Delhi.
The woman purportedly requested Majeed's "help" in a secretive covert operation, explicitly promising to "wipe out the case pending against" him in return for his cooperation. Suspicious of a potential attempt to prejudice his trial or entrap him further, Majeed firmly refused them entry into his home. He immediately took proactive steps by contacting the 112 emergency helpline and the NIA control room to report the suspicious approach.
Legal Background and Current Status
Areeb Majeed was originally arrested in November 2014 under stringent anti-terror laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The NIA's case alleges that Majeed traveled to Syria with the intention of joining ISIS and subsequently returned to India to carry out terror-related activities. Charges against him include waging war against the nation and other serious offenses.
In his recent court application, Majeed has emphasized that he does not seek any extrajudicial favors or special treatment. Instead, he asserts that his primary objective is to ensure his case is decided strictly on its legal merits, without external interference or improper inducements. The two individuals who approached him were later taken into custody by local authorities for questioning at the Bazar Peth police station, though their identities and motives remain under investigation.
This incident raises significant concerns about potential attempts to manipulate judicial proceedings in sensitive terrorism cases. The court's intervention underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the legal process and protecting accused individuals from unlawful pressures, regardless of the severity of the charges they face. The responses from the NIA and Kalyan police, expected by the next hearing date, will be crucial in determining the veracity of these allegations and any subsequent legal actions.
