A National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in Kolkata has handed a 10-year prison term to Syed Mohammad Idrish, a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative. The judgment was pronounced by Judge Sukumar Roy during a sedition case, where Idrish also received a fine. NIA lawyer Shyamal Ghosh mentioned that Idrish admitted his guilt in court, leading to the court’s decision of his culpability.
In a separate incident, college student Tania Parvin was arrested in March 2020 for alleged involvement with the Islamic militant organization from Baduria in North 24 Parganas district. Initially detained by the State Police’s Special Task Force, the case was later taken over by the NIA. Tania’s interrogation revealed confidential information, indicating her association with Lashkar-e-Taiba and her recruitment activities through social media, inspiring others with the ideology of jihad.
Following Tania’s interrogation, Lashkar militant Altaf was apprehended in Bandipora, Kashmir, followed by the arrests of Syed Mohammad Idrish and Ayesha Burhan. The NIA filed a charge sheet in September 2020, adding charges against Tania, Idrish, and Ayesha under various sections, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Among the accused, Ayesha Siddiqui hails from Punjab, Pakistan, while Idrish, also known as Munna, resided in Karnataka. The arrested militants had planned a significant sabotage operation in India, allegedly supported by the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI.
Sources revealed that the jihadist module’s activities were monitored by Indian intelligence agencies, leading to the sentencing of Idrish by the court. Ayesha Siddiqui and Tania Parvin are yet to face legal proceedings in this case.
