The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its crackdown on a terror network operating from within a Bengaluru prison. On Thursday, the federal anti-terror agency filed a second supplementary chargesheet in the high-profile 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case, naming three new individuals. This brings the total number of accused charged in this case to twelve.
Three New Faces Named in Terror Conspiracy
The latest chargesheet, filed before a special NIA court, has brought fresh scrutiny on a prison psychiatrist, a suspended police officer, and the mother of a fugitive. The agency has named Dr. Nagaraj S, a psychiatrist attached to the Bengaluru Central Prison hospital; Chand Pasha, a suspended assistant sub-inspector with the City Armed Reserve (CAR); and Anees Fathima, the mother of absconding accused Junaid Ahmed.
The NIA has invoked a stringent battery of laws against them, including sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Karnataka Prisons Act. This move follows a preliminary chargesheet filed earlier against nine other accused.
Key Roles in Logistics, Funding, and Smuggling
According to the NIA's investigation, Anees Fathima played a pivotal logistical and financial role in supporting terror activities orchestrated from the prison. Investigators allege she provided funds and assistance to a key incarcerated accused, T. Naseer. Her alleged involvement extended to handling hand grenades and walkie-talkies on her son's instructions and facilitating communication between multiple accused.
Furthermore, the agency claims Fathima sheltered another key accused, Salman Khan, and assisted his flight from India by arranging travel documents. Salman Khan was later extradited to India from Rwanda.
The chargesheet details how the suspended police officer, Chand Pasha, allegedly received illegal gratification from Salman Khan. In return, Pasha is accused of sharing sensitive information related to the escort movements of T. Naseer, with whom he had developed links while on prisoner escort duty.
Psychiatrist Accused of Smuggling Phones for Inmates
Perhaps the most startling allegation is against the prison psychiatrist, Dr. Nagaraj S. The NIA claims he smuggled mobile phones into the high-security prison and sold them to inmates for cash. One such phone allegedly reached T. Naseer, who used it to communicate with co-accused and further the terror conspiracy, the agency stated.
The case revolves around the alleged radicalisation of inmates and planning of terror activities by members of the proscribed Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) from inside the Bengaluru Central Prison.
The NIA has confirmed that the investigation into the wider network and the depth of this conspiracy is ongoing. This second chargesheet marks a significant step in unravelling what authorities suggest was a sophisticated operation using prison infrastructure for terror plotting.
