NIA Court Demands Detailed Report on Terror Accused's Allegations of Suspicious Army Visitors
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai has taken a serious step by calling for a comprehensive report following an urgent plea from a terror case accused. The accused, Areeb Majeed, who is involved in the 2015 Islamic State recruitment case, reported a deeply disturbing incident where individuals claiming to be from the Army visited his home in Kalyan with a suspicious proposal.
Court Directs NIA and Police to File Replies by March 4
Judge Chakor S Baviskar, presiding over the case, has issued a directive for the prosecution, represented by the NIA, and the Bazar Peth police in Kalyan to submit their detailed replies by March 4. This order comes in response to Majeed's plea, which highlights a potentially alarming breach of legal and security protocols.
Areeb Majeed, who has been facing trial for 11 years and is currently out on bail while pursuing a law degree, described the incident as "deeply disturbing." In his plea, he recounted that on February 21, while he was at college, his wife informed him that a woman and a man had arrived at their home demanding entry. During a phone call, the woman claimed to be with the Army and stated she was accompanied by a Colonel rank officer.
Suspicious Proposal to "Wipe Out" Pending Criminal Case
Recognizing that executive authorities cannot legally dismiss cases pending before a special court, Majeed became immediately suspicious. He refused to allow the duo entry into his home and promptly contacted both the local police and the NIA to report the incident. According to the plea, the woman proposed that Majeed would be recruited to speak to individuals abroad using a special phone provided by her and the Colonel.
Majeed expressed reasonable apprehension that accepting such a proposal could later be used to allege he was in contact with foreign individuals, which could severely prejudice his ongoing case. He stated, "Given the pendency of the present case, any such engineered communication could severely prejudice the applicant. The applicant, therefore, refused any such proposal and immediately informed authorities."
Lack of Identification and Subsequent Police Pressure
Upon returning home, Majeed demanded identification from the visitors. The woman admitted she had none, while the man briefly flashed an ID card but refused to allow his credentials to be verified. Majeed took photos of both individuals and sent a written complaint to the NIA offices in Mumbai and Delhi, as well as to senior police officials, enclosing call logs and the photos as evidence.
The plea further detailed that the visitors were taken to the Bazar Peth police station, where Majeed was summoned to the cabin of a senior officer and pressured to delete the photos. Subsequently, an NIA officer allegedly instructed him not to pursue any action against the visitors. Majeed alleged he was told that the two visitors were "senior officers involved in clandestine operations" whose identities could not be questioned.
Court Orders Notice to NIA Officer and Ensures Scrutiny
In response to these allegations, the court has ordered that the NIA officer involved be issued a notice, ensuring that the matter receives thorough scrutiny. This development underscores the complexities and potential vulnerabilities in high-profile terror cases, raising questions about security protocols and the integrity of legal proceedings.
The case continues to unfold as the NIA and police prepare their reports, with the court's directive emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in handling such sensitive allegations. Majeed's pursuit of a law degree adds an intriguing layer to this narrative, highlighting his efforts to navigate the legal system while facing serious charges.
