A special court of the National Investigation Agency on Wednesday sentenced seven accused persons, including T Naseer, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case.
Those convicted include Syed Suhail Khan, Mohammed Umar, Zahid Tabrez, Syed Mudassir Pasha, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani and Salman Khan. Each was also fined Rs 48,000 after pleading guilty to the charges filed by the agency.
Conspiracy hatched inside prison
According to investigators, the case relates to a terror conspiracy linked to Lashkar-e-Tayiba that was allegedly planned inside Parappana Agrahara Central Jail.
The accused were allegedly involved in identifying, recruiting, training and radicalising vulnerable youth lodged in prison to carry out terror activities in India.
The case was first registered by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch in July 2023 after arms, ammunition and digital devices were seized from habitual offenders.
Plot to target city and free convict
Investigators said the group had planned terror attacks in Bengaluru and was also attempting to facilitate the escape of Naseer, who is serving a life sentence in multiple terror cases.
The alleged plan involved securing his release during a court visit in Bengaluru.
The NIA later filed a chargesheet against 11 persons and one absconding accused identified as Junaid Ahmed. Authorities said efforts are continuing to trace the fugitive.
Security concerns remain
Officials noted that the methods used in the case resembled prison radicalisation patterns earlier noticed in other parts of the country, raising fresh concerns over jail security and monitoring.