New Delhi, Jan 2: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed chargesheet against three individuals, including a psychiatrist, in a 2023 terror conspiracy case linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Bengaluru, officials said on Friday.
The agency filed its second supplementary chargesheet before a Bengaluru court on Thursday, naming Anees Fathima, Chan Pasha A, and Nagaraj S under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Karnataka Prisons Act.
The NIA, which assumed control of the investigation from Bengaluru City police in October 2023, had previously chargesheeted nine accused, including absconding suspect Junaid Ahmed.
The case was initially registered by Bengaluru City police in July 2023 following the recovery of arms, ammunition, and digital devices from habitual offenders who had conspired to carry out terror attacks in the city with the intention of disrupting India’s sovereignty and security.
According to the NIA, the activities were part of a larger conspiracy to promote LeT’s interests and facilitate the escape of T Naseer, a life convict in multiple terror cases, while he was being transported from prison to court. Naseer was an under-trial prisoner in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blast cases at the time.
Anees Fathima, identified as Junaid Ahmed’s mother, allegedly provided logistical support and funds to T Naseer inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prisons in Bengaluru. Investigations revealed that she handled hand grenades and walkie-talkies on her son’s instructions and facilitated communications between various accused.
The NIA further uncovered her crucial role in harboring key accused Salman Khan and helping him flee to Dubai by arranging his travel documents. Salman was later extradited to India from Rwanda.
Chan Pasha A, an assistant sub-inspector at the City Armed Reserve-South in Bengaluru, allegedly accepted illegal gratification from Salman Khan in exchange for sharing information about Naseer’s escort details. Pasha had connections with Naseer during his prisoner escort duty assignments.
Nagaraj S, a psychiatrist on deputation at Central Prisons Hospital, Parappana Agrahara, was allegedly involved in illegally smuggling mobile phones into the prison and selling them to inmates for cash. One of these phones reached Naseer, who used it to communicate with co-accused to advance the terror conspiracy, the probe agency said.
