COIMBATORE/CHENNAI/TIRUCHY/MADURAI : National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials on Saturday conducted searches in at least 20 places across Tamil Nadu in connection with the alleged ISIS-inspired car bomb blast in front of the Sangameswarar temple in Kottaimedu of Coimbatore in October 2022.
According to sources, around a dozen places in Coimbatore, three in Chennai, one each in Cuddalore, and Madurai were searched from early morning on Saturday and till evening. The sleuths could not search a house in Tiruchy as it was found to be locked. Sources said several electronic gadgets were seized in the searches.
After the blast, the counter-terrorism agency alleged that regional Islamic study centres were used to radicalise youngsters. The agency even registered a separate ISIS radicalisation and recruitment case last year.
Searches held at multiple places in Kovai, Chennai; gadgets confiscated
On September 16, 2023, the NIA carried out searches related to the case simultaneously at 31 places in Tamil Nadu and Hyderabad and seized electronic gadgets. By examining the seized materials, the agency claimed that a section of youth from Coimbatore, Chennai, Tiruchy, and a few other districts were linked to ISIS sympathisers.
Coimbatore police assisted the agency in the searches held at 11 locations in Coimbatore city and Othakkalmandapam on Saturday. The searches were at properties on Robertson Road at RS Puram; Anna Nagar in Podanur; Al-Ameen Colony, Anbu Nagar Arul Nagar and NS Garden in South Ukkadam; Madheena Nagar in Karumbukadai; Kuniyamuthur; and Ramalan Nagar in Saramedu.
Outside the city, an NIA team searched the residence of a lecturer at Othakkalmandapam.
Twelve NIA teams seized gadgets from the locations and searches were completed by 1 pm. As per its preliminary inquiry, sources said NIA claimed that the 12 people under the scanner were alumni of Arabic colleges and allegedly have links to ISIS sympathisers. Their roles in the blast will be confirmed after examining the digital devices.
In Chennai, three properties were subjected to the searches — a house in Somasundaram Nagar belonging to the administrator of a mosque; a house in Thillai Nayagam Pillai Street in Thiru Vi Ka Nagar; and a residence in SIDCO Nagar of Villivakkam. All three were summoned for investigation.
In Cuddalore district, NIA interrogated a cloth vendor from Melaveedhi Street in Mangalampettai of Kallakurichi. His mobile phone has been confiscated and he was summoned for inquiry on February 13 at the NIA office in Chennai.
Similarly, in Tiruchy, NIA officials searched the residence of a teacher who conducts online classes for TNPSC aspirants, from Kooni Bazaar at Beema Nagar. The search began at 4 am and lasted for about 10 hours.
The officials were about to search a residence near Tiruchy Fort area but it was found locked. In Madurai, a four-member NIA team searched the house of a Wahdat-e-Islami Hind functionary of Kazimar Street. They also seized his mobile and a few other materials.
Earlier, 15 people were arrested in the blast case, initially registered by the Ukkadam police and subsequently handed over to the NIA. The prime suspect, Jamesha Mubeen, whom the agency said was a suicide bomber, was killed when his vehicle carrying an IED exploded.
HC on filing of appeals
A division bench of the Madras HC ruled that appeals against orders in cases under NIA Act can be allowed even if filed after 90 days, as they involve the right of a person under Article 21