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The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
Prison radicalisation case: Eight, including prime accused, plead guilty
Eight accused involved in the Bengaluru prison radicalisation, including the prime accused, moved an application before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Bengaluru pleading guilty. The prime accused accused Thadiyantavida Naseer, 47, moved an application in the court on July 7, along with seven co-accused — Syed Suhail Khan alias Suhail, 24; Mohammed Umar alias Umar 30; Zahid Tabrez alias Zahid, 27; Syed Mudassir Pasha, 29; Mohammed Faisal Rabbani alias Sadath, 29, Salman Khan, 29, and Vikram Kumar alias Chhota Usman. The eight are among 12 people currently accused in the prison conspiracy case registered in 2023, which is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). They moved the application last week under Section 229 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The application allows the court to expedite the trial by convicting the accused based on their plea without a full trial. However, the NIA is preparing to submit its version on the application. The accused in their application told the court that it was voluntary and without any coercion, and sought to reduce the quantum of sentence . In July 2023, the CCB raided a house in Kodigehalli and recovered seven country-made pistols, 45 live rounds of ammunition, walkie-talkies and some documents. Further investigations led the police to believe that radicalisation happened inside the Bengaluru prison. The NIA has accused Naseer of radicalising the youths lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru. Naseer is an undertrial in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blasts case and was convicted in a terrorism case in Kerala and linked the LeT. Last year, the NIA chargesheeted eight people, including T. Naseer and accused no: 52, Junaid Ahmed who is presently on the run, under various sections of IPC, UA(P) Act, 1967; Arms Act, 1959 and Explosive Substances Act, 1884. The NIA court on Monday remanded three people arrested on July 8 in the same case to judicial custody. They were earlier under NIA custody for six days. The three arrested are Anees Fathima, the mother of absconding accused Junaid Ahmed, prison psychiatrist Dr. Nagaraj S., and Chan Pasha, an ASI posted at the City Armed Reserve (CAR), North Bengaluru.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru jail psychiatrist helped LeT terror convict with phones, security info: Report
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has secured six days' custody of three individuals accused of aiding a convicted terrorist serving a life sentence in the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, Indian Express reported. This latest development is tied to a larger case first uncovered in July 2023. Among those arrested are Dr Nagaraj S, a psychiatrist posted at the prison; Chan Pasha, an assistant sub-inspector with the City Armed Reserve (CAR); and Anees Fathima, a resident of RT Nagar and mother of absconding accused Junaid Ahmed, the report added. (Also Read: 'Leave your vehicle and walk to office': Bengaluru's Thursday traffic prompts viral advice) The trio was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly providing logistical and material support to Thadiyantavide Naseer, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative currently imprisoned at Parappana Agrahara. At a hearing in the NIA Special Court in Bengaluru on Wednesday, the agency accused the three of facilitating illegal communications and transactions inside the high-security prison, the report further added. Special Public Prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar argued that Fathima had played a key role in funnelling funds between several co-accused. Her involvement, the NIA claims, helped sustain covert operations connected to the LeT network. Assistant sub-inspector Pasha is alleged to have leaked classified information about Naseer's police escort arrangements to external associates of the terror group. The NIA claims he received monetary compensation in return for sharing this operational intelligence. Meanwhile, Dr Nagaraj stands accused of abusing his official access inside the prison to smuggle mobile phones to Naseer. These phones, the agency believes, were used to orchestrate activities linked to LeT from within the jail. The NIA also revealed that Nagaraj may have been assisted by a woman named Pavithra in executing the smuggling. The special court granted the agency custody of all three individuals until July 14 for further interrogation. The arrests were presented in court by NIA Deputy Superintendent of Police Susheela. This latest development is tied to a larger case first uncovered in July 2023, when the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch raided a residence in Kodigehalli and seized a cache of illegal arms and communication equipment. The CCB's probe pointed to a radicalisation network operating from inside the prison, prompting the case's transfer to the NIA. The agency has since filed a chargesheet naming nine accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Arms Act, and other relevant laws. Junaid Ahmed, Anees Fathima's son, remains at large. (Also Read: Bengaluru unfazed as nationwide labour strike sparks protests across Karnataka: Report)
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Three accused in LeT-linked prison radicalisation case remanded to NIA custody
A special court on Wednesday remanded three individuals to six days of custody with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)-linked radicalisation and terror plot allegedly orchestrated from inside Bengaluru's Central Prison. Three accused in LeT-linked prison radicalisation case remanded to NIA custody The accused -- Dr Nagaraj, a psychiatrist at Parappana Agrahara prison, assistant sub-inspector Chand Pasha, and Anees Fathima, mother of absconding terror suspect Junaid Ahmed -- were arrested a day earlier after coordinated NIA raids across five locations in Bengaluru and Kolar. According to the NIA, the trio were assisting LeT operative T Naseer, a life convict jailed for his role in the 2008 Bengaluru serial bomb blasts. The agency has alleged that the accused helped smuggle mobile phones, leak transfer details, and deliver funds and messages to further LeT's objectives from within the prison. During the raids, digital devices, cash, gold, and incriminating documents were seized from the homes of the suspects. Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said that concerns over prison radicalisation had been flagged earlier by the state. 'In 2023, we had informed them that some people were being radicalised. They had accessed certain information and manipulated or influenced a few individuals. As for what will happen next, or which direction the investigation will take, we do not know at this point,' he said. When asked about further action, he added, 'The central agencies are monitoring the situation. There may be addresses involved or other details that require deeper scrutiny. If anything else comes up, they will handle it. This is not necessarily related to terrorist activity, but since the digital traces are not limited to Bengaluru or Karnataka-- they could be linked to individuals outside the state or even abroad -- the central government is keeping a close watch and informing us.' The case, first flagged in July 2023 by Bengaluru CCB after the seizure of seven pistols, four grenades, and four walkie-talkies, was later handed over to the NIA. The agency alleges that habitual offenders were being recruited by Naseer to carry out fidayeen-style attacks in Bengaluru and help smuggle weapons into prison. Some were even expected to assist in a potential prison break during Naseer's court movements. In January 2024, the NIA filed charges against eight individuals, including Naseer, Junaid Ahmed, and Salman Khan, under the IPC, UAPA, Arms Act, and Explosive Substances Act. A ninth accused, Vikram Kumar, was later added to the chargesheet. Naseer, originally from Kerala's Kannur district, was arrested in 2009 near the Bangladesh border and has been in Bengaluru prison since 2013. Convicted in the 2008 blasts case that killed one and injured 20, he was once LeT's South India commander and had been hiding in Kodagu under a false identity before his arrest. From 2017, he is believed to have begun radicalising fellow inmates, assessing their potential and indoctrinating them to join LeT. Among those allegedly recruited were Junaid, Salman, and several others. Reacting to the latest arrests, BJP MLA Sunil Kumar criticised the state government, accusing it of allowing a complete collapse of law and order. 'The NIA raids have exposed the law and order situation and the inefficiency of the Home Department. It is not just alarming but reflective of the Congress government's soft corner for terror, as an ASI and prison staff are colluding with international terrorists and quietly supporting extremist activities,' he said. 'Even as the Home Department staff were assisting terrorists lodged in the jail, the anti-terror squad was munching snacks. It is a shame that such incidents are happening right under the nose of the chief minister and home minister, while the state police remain mum and inactive,' Kumar added.
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Indian Express
Bengaluru prison psychiatrist gave mobile phones and ASI security details to terror convict: NIA in court
The National Investigation Agency was on Wednesday granted six days' custody of a prison psychiatrist, a police officer, and a woman who the agency said had been involved in providing resources and information to a terror convict lodged in Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. The trio–Dr Nagaraj S, a psychiatrist employed at the Parappana Agrahara prison; Chan Pasha, an assistant sub-inspector with the City Armed Reserve (CAR) in North Bengaluru; and Anees Fathima, mother of absconding accused Junaid Ahmed–were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) prison radicalisation case of 2023. Special Public Prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar, representing the NIA, presented detailed submissions before the NIA Special Court in Bengaluru. He submitted in the court that Fathima, designated as accused number 10 and residing in Sultanpalya, R T Nagar, played a crucial role in facilitating financial transactions between various accused persons in the conspiracy. The prosecutor also argued that Pasha, while performing his official duties, illegally provided police escort details of Thadiyantavide Naseer, a life-sentence convict imprisoned for terror-related offences at the Parappana Agrahara prison, to his co-accused. In exchange for sharing this highly sensitive operational information, Pasha allegedly received illegal gratification from the conspirators. Kumar further elaborated that Dr Nagaraj exploited his position as a psychiatrist to assist other accused persons in smuggling mobile phones to Naseer inside the prison. These communication devices were allegedly utilised by suspects to coordinate and support activities linked to the banned terrorist organisation LeT. NIA officials previously indicated that Nagaraj received assistance from an individual named Pavithra in executing these smuggling operations. After reviewing the prosecution's submissions, the special court granted the NIA custody of all three suspects for six days until July 14. The accused were presented before the court by NIA DySP Susheela. In July 2023, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru city police raided a house in Kodigehalli and seized seven countrymade pistols, 45 live bullets, walkie-talkies, and some documents. They said radicalisation was being carried out inside the central prison. The case was later handed over to the NIA. The NIA has filed a chargesheet against nine accused, including Junaid Ahmed, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the UAPA, the Arms Act, and the Explosive Substances Act in the case.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Lauren Goodger confirms Charles Drury reunion as couple enjoy ‘double date' with her Towie co-stars
LAUREN Goodger has confirmed she and Charles Drury are back together as they enjoyed a double date with her Towie co-stars. Towie legend Lauren, 38, and Charles, 26, share daughter Larose, three, and split in 2022 after the devastating death of daughter Lorena. 3 3 The couple have been fuelling rumours for months that they've rekindled their romance but it looks like they're back on for good. Last night Lauren reposted an Instagram story shared by Junaid Ahmed, which he captioned: 'Double dating @joeblackman_98 @laurengoodger @ She and Charles spent the evening with Junaid and Joe at Indian restaurant Cinnamon in Epping. Lauren and Charles first sent the rumour mill into overdrive when they took part in a TikTok together. Again joined by Junaid and Joe, they all appeared on the platform for a live chat. It was Lauren's first time doing a live video on the platform in over a year, and it had been even longer since she'd been seen publicly with Charles. Last year, Lauren opened up about the struggles she had previously faced co-parenting with Charles. "It has not been easy, but we're at a place at the minute where it is running smoothly. Charles sees Larose very regularly," she told MailOnline. "It's a lot of travelling for me because he lives 3.5 hours away, and I meet him in the middle. It's not ideal but it is what it is." Lauren and Charles tragically lost their second child Lorena during a traumatic childbirth in 2022. Towie's Lauren Goodger sizzles in leopard print hotpants on night out with Amy Childs They'd fallen pregnant just three months after welcoming Larose in 2021, and Lauren was over the moon to become a mum for the second time. Tragic Lorena, who Lauren described as the "most beautiful healthy baby she'd ever seen", died after her umbilical cord became wrapped around her neck.
