Pramesh S Jain
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has conducted searches at eight locations in Bengaluru in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged ISIS recruitment and terror-funding module, freezing proceeds of crime worth Rs.7.50 lakh.
According to an ED press release issued on Thursday, the Bengaluru Zonal Office carried out the searches on July 21 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
During the raids,officials seized incriminating electronic records and digital devices and froze ₹7.50 lakh under Section 17(1-A) of the PMLA.
The ED investigation stems from an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered on the basis of an FIR filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding alleged ISIS recruitment activities involving the Iqra Welfare Trust,the Guidance for Mankind (GFM) Trust, and certain individuals based in Bengaluru.
The NIA had registered the case under Sections 17 (raising funds for terrorist acts),18 (conspiracy and preparatory acts for terrorism),and 18B (recruitment of persons for terrorist acts) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The agency arrested Irfan Nasir,Ahamed Abdul Cader, Dr.Mohd.Tauqir Mahmood,and Zuhab Hameed Shakeel Manna alias Zohaib Manna,while Mohd.Shihab was shown as absconding.
The NIA subsequently filed a chargesheet against all five accused,alleging they were affiliated with the banned terrorist organisation ISIS/ISIL/Daesh.
According to the NIA chargesheet,the accused allegedly conspired to radicalise and recruit impressionable Muslim youth from Bengaluru into ISIS.
Investigators claim they identified and indoctrinated recruits through a personality development programme known as Iqra Camp and a weekly Quran Circle,before arranging funds and logistics to facilitate their travel to Syria via Turkey to join ISIS.
The chargesheet further alleges that the accused raised funds through individuals,trustees of the Iqra Welfare Trust and GFM Trust,and personal savings to finance recruitment activities.
It also claims they exploited sentiments surrounding the anti-CAA/NRC protests to incite communal hatred and propagated ISIS ideology through encrypted social media platforms.
The ED said its investigation has found that the funds raised by the accused and through the trusts were allegedly used to finance and facilitate the recruitment of vulnerable individuals into ISIS.
Further investigation under the PMLA is in progress.
