A special NIA court in Bengaluru has handed down seven individuals, including T Naseer, a 7-year prison term for their involvement in the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case. Among those convicted are Syed Suhail Khan, Mohammed Umar, Zahid Tabrez, Syed Mudassir Pasha, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani, and Salman Khan, who were also fined Rs 48,000. The accused admitted to the charges filed by the NIA.
The case revolves around a Lashkar-e-Tayiba-linked terror conspiracy orchestrated by T Naseer inside the Parapanna Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru. The plot aimed at recruiting and radicalizing vulnerable inmates to carry out terror activities in India. Initially investigated by the Bengaluru CCB in July 2023, the case involved the discovery of weapons, ammunition, and digital devices from repeat offenders.
The convicted individuals had planned to launch terror attacks in Bengaluru, aligning with the anti-India agenda of Lashkar-e-Tayiba. Following the exposure of a larger conspiracy, the NIA took over the case. The accused also sought to aid Naseer’s escape from prison, who is serving a life sentence for multiple terror-related offenses.
The NIA charged 11 individuals and an absconder named Junaid Ahmed in connection with the case. One of the accused, Salman Khan, was arrested after being extradited from Rwanda. Efforts are underway to locate the remaining fugitives. Authorities noted similarities between this case and incidents in Jammu and Kashmir prisons.
In a related development, the Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted concerns over individual radicalization in a January 2023 report. The ministry instructed prison authorities to segregate radicalized inmates to prevent negative influences on others. Special de-radicalization sessions were recommended for at-risk individuals.
