Doctor's Double Life: Medical Professional to Alleged ISIS Recruiter
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made a startling arrest in Pune, uncovering what appears to be a disturbing case of a medical professional turned alleged terrorist recruiter. Dr Adnan Ali Sarkar, a 45-year-old consulting anaesthetist working at a prominent Pune hospital, was taken into custody on July 26, 2023, in connection with the ISIS Maharashtra module terror case.
The Investigation Unfolds
According to investigative agencies, Dr Sarkar's name first emerged during the probe into a meeting held in Pune on December 18, 2015, involving alleged ISIS operatives who were later arrested from various parts of the country. The Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) had questioned Sarkar back in 2016 but did not arrest him at that time.
Police sources revealed that Sarkar, originally from the Bohra Muslim community, had later shifted to the Sunni faith. His alleged involvement with extremist activities deepened when he became associated with a religious foundation started by an Arabic teacher in Pune. Several suspects linked to this foundation had previously been arrested for their involvement in bomb blasts in Gujarat.
Building the Terror Network
The central agency officially registered the ISIS Maharashtra module case on June 28, 2023. Shortly after, on July 3, 2023, extensive raids conducted in Mumbai, Thane, and Pune led to the arrest of four key suspects:
- Tabish Nasser Siddiqui from Nagpada, Mumbai
- Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh alias Abu Nusaiba from Kondhwa, Pune
- Sharjeel Shaikh from Padgha, Thane
- Zulfikar Ali Barodawala from Padgha, Thane
Investigators alleged that these accused individuals shared materials including 'do-it-yourself (DIY) kits' for fabricating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and manufacturing small weapons and pistols.
The Arrest and Evidence
Dr Sarkar's arrest came following crucial information obtained during the interrogation of co-accused Zubair Shaikh, who had previously worked as an IT engineer. Sarkar, who happens to be the brother-in-law of accused Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, was found to be residing in Pune's Kondhwa area with his wife and children.
The NIA's press release following the arrest stated that several incriminating materials were seized from Sarkar's residence, including electronic gadgets and documents related to ISIS. These materials allegedly exposed Sarkar's allegiance to ISIS and his role in promoting the organization's violent agenda by motivating and recruiting vulnerable youth.
Dr Sarkar's educational background shows he completed his MBBS in 2001 from B.J. Medical College in Pune and his MD in anaesthesiology in 2006 from the same government-run institution. After working at a prominent Mumbai hospital, he returned to Pune where he was reportedly earning well and had his research papers published in medical journals.
Expanding Network and Legal Action
In August 2023, the investigation widened with the arrest of Aakif Ateeque Nachan from Borivali-Padgha, becoming the sixth accused in the ISIS Maharashtra module case. Nachan was allegedly involved in the fabrication of IEDs for terrorist activities.
By December 2023, the agency filed a chargesheet against Sarkar and five other accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The charges included recruitment and fundraising activities for ISIS. The NIA stated that the accused were found in possession of incriminating material related to 'Hijra to Syria,' along with propaganda magazines like 'Voice of Hindi' and 'Voice of Khurasan' published by ISIS.
In a related development, Barodawala and Aakif Nachan were also among the 11 accused chargesheeted by the central agency in the separate Pune ISIS module case in November 2023. According to agency claims, these accused had organized and participated in bomb-making and training workshops at a house in Kondhwa between 2022 and 2023, where they conducted controlled explosions to test IEDs fabricated by them.
The investigation revealed that the group had conducted bomb tests in Pune's jungles and other locations, with authorities seizing explosive material, tents, a drone, and several electronic devices from their possession.
