Psychiatrist, ASI among 3 held in LeT radicalisation case by NIA in Karnataka

Bengaluru

In a major development in the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) prison radicalisation case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested three persons, including a Central Prison psychiatrist and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), from Karnataka. The arrests came after coordinated raids at five locations across Bengaluru and Kolar districts on July 8.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Dr. Nagaraj, a psychiatrist at the Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara; ASI Chan Pasha; and Anees Fathima, the mother of an absconding accused. The case pertains to radicalisation efforts within the prison system in furtherance of the banned terror outfit LeT’s agenda.

During the searches, NIA teams seized digital devices, cash, gold, and several incriminating documents from the residences of the accused. The agency stated that the arrests are linked to case RC-28/2023/NIA/DLI, which uncovered a plot involving arms, explosives, and walkie-talkies aimed at carrying out terror activities in Bengaluru.

According to the NIA, Dr. Nagaraj was facilitating the smuggling of mobile phones to inmates, including convicted terrorist Tadiyandaveed Naseer alias T. Naseer, serving a life sentence for terror-related offences. His associate, Pavithra, reportedly assisted in these activities.

The agency further revealed that Anees Fathima played a key role in relaying instructions from Naseer to her absconding son Junaid Ahmed for mobilising funds to be delivered inside the prison. Additionally, ASI Chan Pasha was found to have accepted bribes in 2022 in exchange for leaking information regarding Naseer’s court escort movements.

Investigations are ongoing as the NIA continues to uncover deeper links between radicalised inmates and external operatives, exposing significant security breaches within the prison system.

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