NIA Files Charges Against Five Additional Individuals in 2022 Coimbatore Bombing Case
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Synopsis
The NIA has filed a charge sheet against five individuals involved in the 2022 Coimbatore car bomb explosion linked to ISIS. This brings the total number of accused to 17, highlighting their roles in terror financing and planning the attack on a Hindu temple.
Key Takeaways
- NIA charges five more individuals in Coimbatore blast case.
- A total of 17 individuals now face charges.
- New allegations of terror financing introduced.
- Prior scam funded the bomb attack.
- Meetings held in prison to plan conspiracy.
New Delhi, April 17 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted a charge sheet on Thursday against five additional individuals in the ISIS-inspired Coimbatore car bomb explosion incident from 2022, which resulted in the death of the suicide bomber responsible for the attack, according to an official report.
As per the announcement, the NIA's fourth supplementary charge sheet in the case identified as RC-01/2022/NIA/CHE includes charges against Sheikh Hidayathullah, Umar Faaruq, Pavas Rahman, Sharan Mariappan, and Aboo Hanifa for their roles in terror financing and related activities associated with the assault aimed at a Hindu temple, Arulmigu Kottai Sangameshwarar Thirukovil, in Coimbatore in October 2022.
This brings the total number of accused charged in this case to 17.
The latest charge sheet presents new allegations of terror financing against Sheikh Hidayathullah and Umar Faaruq, the attack's Amir, both of whom had previously been charged with other crimes in this case.
"These two individuals had orchestrated a fraudulent Covid vaccine certificate scam in 2021-2022, using the proceeds to acquire materials for explosives and other resources for the car bomb attack. The scam was facilitated by Pavas Rahman and Sharan, while Aboo Hanifa financed the creation of fake certificates," the statement explained.
An official noted that Jamesha Mubeen executed the suicide bombing utilizing a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) in a modified Maruti vehicle.
He perished in the explosion, and charges against him have since been dropped.
The report indicated that during the NIA investigation, it was uncovered that Mubeen had sworn allegiance to the self-proclaimed ISIS Caliph, Abu-Al-Hasan Al-Hashimi Al-Qurashi, aiming to target non-believers as part of his extremist beliefs.
Further inquiry by the NIA revealed that prior to the attack, the accused convened meetings at Viyyur High-Security Prison and Sathyamangalam Reserve Forest to plot their conspiracy.
Their intent was to retaliate against the imprisonment of their leader, Mohammed Azharuddin, who was arrested by the NIA in Coimbatore in 2019 for advocating violent Salafi-Jihadi ideology, as stated.
