CHENNAI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted extensive searches on October 10 at the residence of Faizul Rahman, a key accused in the Tamil Nadu Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) anti-India conspiracy case. The raids were part of the agency’s ongoing investigation into an alleged secessionist plot aimed at overthrowing the Indian government through violent jihad and establishing Islamic rule (Khilafat).
The NIA stated that the searches resulted in the seizure of several incriminating materials, including digital devices and documents. “The accused, arrested on October 8, was actively engaging with other arrested individuals to promote secessionism and was seeking military assistance from Pakistan to liberate Kashmir,” read the NIA’s official statement. The agency revealed that Faizul Rahman, the State Amir of HuT for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, was deeply involved in secret meetings aimed at spreading HuT’s divisive ideology.
NIA Searches House of Key Accused in TN Hizb-ut-Tahrir Case pic.twitter.com/KSgAF8NGI5
— NIA India (@NIA_India) October 11, 2024
Plot to Overthrow Government of India
The conspiracy, according to NIA, involved attempts to radicalize youths and promote an anti-India ideology. Rahman and others ran several campaigns across Tamil Nadu to push their secessionist agenda, with a primary focus on dividing the people and acting against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. The organization’s goal was to establish Islamic rule by violently overthrowing the Indian government, with aspirations of receiving military support from hostile forces such as Pakistan.
Earlier, six individuals were arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for recruiting members for HuT in the Royapettah area of Chennai. Among the arrested was Dr. Hameed Hussain, a key figure in the conspiracy, who allegedly held secret meetings to radicalise youth and spread the HuT ideology. Hameed, an engineering professor, ran a YouTube channel called Dr Hameed Hussain Talks and founded the “Modern Essential Educational Trust,” which, according to the NIA, was used as a front to impart training on terror activities.
The NIA took over the case in July 2024 and has since been conducting raids across multiple locations, confiscating electronic devices and documents that provide insights into the organisation’s workings. The investigation focuses on the financial activities of the arrested individuals, aiming to trace funds and identify other potential conspirators involved in the conspiracy.
Government Declares HuT a Terrorist Organisation
Hours after the NIA raid, the Indian government officially designated Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) as a terrorist organization. In a statement on October 10, 2024, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “In line with Prime Minister Modi’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, the Ministry of Home Affairs has declared Hizb-ut-Tahrir a terrorist organization.” Shah explained that HuT has been involved in numerous terror-related activities, including radicalizing impressionable youth, funding terror operations, and posing a significant threat to India’s national security and sovereignty.
The ban comes just days after the arrest of seven individuals, including Faizul Rahman, in connection with the conspiracy to establish an Islamic state in India. The NIA’s investigation has revealed that HuT’s operations were widespread in Tamil Nadu, and the organization had been actively working to promote its anti-India agenda through clandestine activities.
Radicalisation Efforts and Secret Meetings
NIA investigators revealed that the arrested individuals held secret bayaans (religious sermons) in various parts of the state, where youth were radicalized with the ideology of Hizb-ut-Tahrir. One of the main suspects, Aziz Ahamed, played a key role in organizing these meetings. According to the NIA, the HuT members sought Nusra (military assistance) from foreign entities hostile to India, further cementing their intent to destabilize the nation.
Rahman, the most recent arrest, marks the seventh individual apprehended in the NIA’s probe. Earlier arrests were made following a bust of a terror module by the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad, which first brought the organization under the scanner of Indian security agencies.
The conspiracy was allegedly led by Hameed Hussain, a doctorate holder in mechanical engineering, who used his academic background and influence to recruit members for HuT. He allegedly used the educational trust he founded to advance the organization’s goals and spread its extremist ideology.
The NIA’s investigation is far from over, with authorities continuing to trace financial transactions linked to the accused individuals. Several suspects remain under surveillance, and efforts are ongoing to uncover more details about the conspiracy. The NIA is also focusing on identifying additional conspirators who may have played a role in promoting secessionism and anti-India sentiment through Hizb-ut-Tahrir.
