A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has handed a seven-year rigorous imprisonment sentence to Vikram Kumar, also known as Chota Usman, for his involvement in the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case. Vikram, the eighth convicted individual in this case, was found guilty under various legal provisions. The court had previously convicted seven others, including the alleged mastermind T Naseer, associated with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Vikram Kumar, radicalized and recruited by Naseer along with another accused while in prison, was involved in collecting and delivering hand grenades and walkie-talkies for a larger conspiracy. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed that Vikram, funded by a co-accused, was part of a plan to aid Naseer’s escape during his prison transport. This scheme was purportedly aimed at advancing LeT’s terror activities in India.
Initially investigated by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch, the case was later taken over by the NIA, uncovering a broader conspiracy including an escape plot. A chargesheet has been filed against 12 accused individuals, with efforts ongoing to locate one absconding suspect, Junaid Ahmed. The NIA’s actions have led to the sentencing of several individuals involved in the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case.
