The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its probe into ISIS-linked radicalisation in Tamil Nadu by filing a supplementary charge sheet against seven individuals and the Kovai Arabic Educational Association (KAEA), a registered society, officials confirmed. The move expands the agency’s investigation into extremist indoctrination tied to the 2022 Coimbatore car-bomb blast.
The charge sheet, filed under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, names seven students of Madras Arabic College: Mohammed Hussain, Irshath, Ahmed Ali, Aboo Hanifa, Jawahar Sadiq, Sheikh Dawood, and Raja Mohammed. Hussain and Irshath, already charged earlier, now face additional sections, while KAEA has been arraigned as a legal entity.
The NIA case, registered suo motu by its Chennai branch in August 2023, centers on the radicalisation of vulnerable youth by an IS-inspired network operating under the guise of free Arabic classes. Investigators found extremist sermons were disseminated through Zoom, WhatsApp, and Telegram alongside classroom sessions, reportedly led by the college principal, Jameel Basha.
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Earlier, the agency had charged four individuals, including Basha, following its investigation into the October 2022 Coimbatore car bomb blast. Evidence indicated that 14 of the 18 accused in that attack were students of Kovai Arabic College, highlighting the institution’s key role in the recruitment network.
By including KAEA in the supplementary charge sheet, the NIA aims to hold accountable not only individuals but also the organisational structures that facilitated radicalisation. The step reflects a broader strategy to dismantle support systems that enable extremist activities under educational or cultural pretenses.
The latest filing strengthens the prosecution’s case against those accused of spreading IS propaganda and recruiting youth for violent extremism. It also underscores the NIA’s continued vigilance over online platforms and educational institutions susceptible to misuse by radical groups.
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