NIA Files Charge Sheet Against Four Men for ISIS Recruitment

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet against four men in Chennai for radicalizing and recruiting youth for ISIS. This follows an investigation into the 2022 Coimbatore car bomb blast. The accused used social media and classroom sessions for indoctrination, guided by Jameel Basha.

CHENNAI – On Tuesday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against four individuals in a Chennai special court, accusing them of radicalizing and recruiting youth for the terrorist organization ISIS.

The accused are identified as Jameel Basha, Mohammed Hussain, Irshath, and Syed Abdur Rahman, according to a statement from the NIA. They have been charged under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

This case, filed suo motu by the NIA's Chennai branch in August last year, is based on the findings of the 2022 Coimbatore car bomb blast investigation. The NIA discovered that the arrested individuals were recruiting youth to the ISIS fold for unlawful and terrorist activities.

The indoctrination occurred at an Arabic language center in Coimbatore. Led by Jameel Basha, the center used social media and in-person sessions for recruitment. The agency's investigation revealed that the IED blast outside a Coimbatore temple was part of a violent jihad campaign influenced by ISIS.

(With inputs from agencies.)