Karnataka: NIA arrests key Hizb-ut-Tahrir accused Aziz Ahmed at Bengaluru Airport

BENGALURU: In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a key accused in the ongoing Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) case at Bengaluru International Airport. The accused, identified as Aziz Ahamed (also known as Aziz Ahmed or Jaleel Aziz Ahmed), was apprehended while attempting to flee the country.

The arrest is part of an extensive investigation into a case involving attempts to radicalize youth and establish an Islamic caliphate in India. The NIA, which took over the case from the Chennai police in July 2024, has been probing the activities of individuals linked to HuT, an international pan-Islamist and fundamentalist organisation that seeks to establish a global Islamic caliphate based on the ideology of its founder, Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani.

Details of the Investigation
The case, initially registered by the Central Crime Branch of Chennai police, involves six accused individuals who were reportedly influenced by extremist, radical, and fundamentalist ideologies propagated by HuT. The NIA formally took charge of the investigation on July 24, 2024, following the registration of a new FIR (RC01/2024/NIA/CHE). Since then, crucial documents and evidence related to the case have been handed over to the NIA, further advancing their investigation.

The NIA’s investigation revealed that the accused had been conducting secret seminars, or bayaans, where many participants, particularly vulnerable and impressionable youth, were radicalized with the ideologies of HuT. The NIA stated that HuT aims to seek military assistance (Nusra) from forces hostile to India to achieve its “nefarious goal” of establishing an Islamic caliphate. Aziz Ahamed was identified as one of the chief initiators of these secret bayaans, playing a significant role in spreading the organisation’s extremist ideology.

Previous Arrests and Raids
Prior to Ahamed’s arrest, the NIA, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu police, had arrested six individuals under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). These individuals were identified as Dr. Hameed Hussain, Ahamed Mansoor, Abdul Rahman, H. Mohamed Maurice, Kadar Nawaz Sherif, and Ahmed Ali Umari. Dr Hameed Hussain, a resident of Royapettah in Chennai, is suspected of being the chief coordinator of HuT in the region. He allegedly organized secret meetings to spread the organization’s ideology, which poses a threat to India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In addition to these arrests, the NIA conducted raids across Tamil Nadu in June 2024, leading to the arrest of two more members of HuT. These operations were part of a broader crackdown on the organization’s activities, which include propaganda against holding elections and promoting democracy. The arrested individuals were involved in disseminating extremist ideologies through various means, including social media platforms and secret meetings.

Ongoing Investigation
The NIA’s investigation has uncovered that the arrested individuals were involved in radicalizing youth, particularly targeting Muslim students in colleges and universities. Dr Hameed Hussain, who holds a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering and has taught at various institutions, was found to be using his position to influence students with HuT’s extremist ideology. He allegedly organised classes and meetings where he advocated for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate and the rejection of democratic principles.

According to reports, Hussain also recruited individuals from other cities, including Thanjavur and Trichy, and appointed them as district functionaries for HuT. These recruits were taken to Kerala for training in extremist activities, including the use of arms and bomb-making. The NIA continues to investigate these activities and is working to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the organisation.