New Delhi, April 14: A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sentenced three individuals in connection with the 2021 Lucknow terror conspiracy linked to Al-Qaeda. The convicted individuals received sentences ranging from five years of rigorous imprisonment to life imprisonment, with all sentences to run concurrently. Each convict was also fined up to ₹20,000.
The sentenced individuals include Musiruddin alias Raju from Lucknow, Minhaj Ahmed alias Minhaj, and Tauheed Ahmed Shah alias Sobu Shah from Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir.
Previously, three others had already been convicted under the Arms Act, namely Shakeel, Mohammad Mustaqeem, and Mohammad Moid, all residents of Lucknow. The NIA filed two charge sheets against all six individuals in 2022.
The case originated in July 2021 when the Uttar Pradesh Police registered a complaint after the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested Musiruddin and Minhaj. Investigations revealed that both were linked to the banned terrorist organization Al-Qaeda and were involved in radicalizing and recruiting youth in Lucknow. Their goal was to establish a module named ‘Ansar Ghazwatul Hind’ (AGH), associated with Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).
The investigation also uncovered plans for terrorist attacks in several cities of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the capital, Lucknow, before Independence Day in 2021.
According to the NIA, Minhaj was radicalized by Tauheed and another individual, Adil Nabi Teli alias Musa. Together, they conspired to recruit people for AGH. Musiruddin was later included in this conspiracy and was sworn in for loyalty.
The investigation revealed that Musiruddin and Minhaj, with assistance from Shakeel, Mustaqeem, and Moid, had gathered weapons, ammunition, and explosives to create a war-like situation against the Indian government.
It was also discovered that Musa was a declared terrorist associated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked organization TRF and was receiving funding through Minhaj and Tauheed. Musa was killed in a confrontation with security forces in March 2022, after which the NIA filed an abetted charge sheet against him in August 2022.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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