Deported by UAE, 14 persons arrested by NIA

As many as 14 persons, deported for allegedly raising funds in the UAE for an Islamic State in India, were arrested by the National Investigation Agency.

They were brought in a special aircraft to Chennai from New Delhi on Monday and remanded in judicial custody after being produced before a special court for NIA cases in Poonamallee on the city’s outskirts.

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The arrests were made by the NIA following the registration of an FIR in New Delhi on receipt of credible information by the Central government that the group which called itself Wahdat-e-Islami, along with another called Jarnab Islam Al Jihadya, was trying to establish Islamic rule in India. They had allegedly received training from the Ansarullah Movement in Yemen.

'Influenced by Al Qaeda and IS'

According to NIA sources, the group members were influenced by Al Qaeda and IS and were from Melapalayam, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram and Chennai. They were engaged in raising funds for the purpose of committing acts of terror.

C.S. Pillai, Special Public Prosecutor, told The Hindu , “The UAE authorities detained them and deported them.”

They were first produced before a Delhi court on Sunday. After granting transit remand, the court directed that they be produced before the jurisdictional court concerned in the State (as they hailed from Tamil Nadu), said NIA officials.

All the 14 persons, in the age group of 26 to 38, were produced before special judge P. Chenthoor Pandi and remanded in judicial custody. They were lodged at Central Prison, Puzhal, in the evening.

The NIA named Hassan Ali Yunus Maraikayar as prime accused. Among the other members are: Mohammed Sheik, Mohhamed Azharuddin, Thoufik Ahamed, Mohammed Aksar, Moideen Seeni Shahul Hameed, Mohammed Ibrahim, Meeran Kani and Mohammed Ibrahim.

Police booked them for offences committed under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121A (conspiring to commit certain offences against the State and 122 (collecting arms with intention of waging war against India) of IPC and provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.