Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, a prominent Islamic organisation, has positioned itself as a key legal defender for individuals implicated in terrorist and extremist activities. The organisation’s legal aid cell has been actively involved in providing defense for those accused of serious national security offenses, often framing their efforts as a quest for justice against what they claim is wrongful persecution. This consistent and well-funded legal support for individuals associated with terror plots has drawn significant criticism, raising serious questions about the organization’s priorities and its broader impact on national security and law enforcement efforts to combat radicalisation. This approach has fueled a contentious debate over whether such actions inadvertently legitimise or enable elements hostile to the state, and if they align with a genuine commitment to a terror-free society.
This report is based on Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s role in the legal defense of terrorists/extremists involved in 11 major terror activities between 2003 and July 2025.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leader pushes communal agenda with opposition MPs
In a move to push a specific Islamic agenda, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Mahmood Madani held a dinner meeting with opposition leaders at Shangri -La Eros hotel in Delhi. The meeting, which included figures from the Congress, Samajwadi Party, National Conference, and Bhim Army, was orchestrated to pressure MPs into amplifying specific communal issues in Parliament. The discussion focused on five key points: the controversial bulldozer actions in Assam, “love jihad,” Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the demand for a caste census, and concerns over Bharat’s policy regarding Palestine. Attendees were provided with booklets on these subjects. Maulana Madani framed this as a “first step” to ensure the Islamic community’s concerns are addressed by the opposition, raising questions about the use of political platforms to advance a specific religious agenda.
Prominent leaders present at the meeting: Harendra Malik (SP), Ikra Hasan (SP), Mohibullah Nadvi (SP), Zia Ur Rahman Barq (SP), Imran Masood (Congress), Imran Pratapgarhi (Congress), Javed Khan (Congress), Agha Ruhullah Mehdi (NC), Mian Altaf (NC), Chandrashekhar Azad (ASP)
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind tries to block film on Kanhaiya Lal murder, defending accused
In a move widely seen as an attempt to shield individuals accused in a high-profile murder case, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, through its President Maulana Arshad Madani, petitioned the Delhi High Court to block the release of the film ‘Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder.’ The organisation argued that the film, based on the brutal killing of Kanhaiya Lal, promotes religious hatred and negatively portrays a specific community. The plea was filed by senior advocate Kapil Sibal on behalf of the Jamiat (Case Title: Maulana Arshad Madani v. Union of India & Others). The accused in the case are Mohammad Riyaz, Mohammad Ghaus (alias Ghaus Mohammad), Mohsin Khan, Arif Hussain, Mohammad Mohsin, Wasim Ali, and Muslim Khan (alias Muslim Raza). On July 10, 2025, the Delhi High Court placed an interim stay on the film’s release and instructed the central government to review it and make a final decision by July 21, 2025. This action by the Jamiat has drawn significant criticism, with many viewing it as a clear attempt to defend individuals accused of a heinous crime under the guise of preventing communal disharmony. However, the film released on August 8, after the Delhi High Court refused to stay its release.
Jamiat’s legal aid to Kamlesh Tiwari’s murderers: A controversial stand
On October 18, 2019, Hindu leader Kamlesh Tiwari was brutally murdered in his office in Khurshid Bagh Colony, Lucknow. The attackers, Ashfaq Hussain and Moinuddin Pathan, came disguised with a box of sweets, then shot and slit his throat. The arrested accused, including Farid (alias Moinuddin Pathan), Ashfaq Hussain, Rashid Pathan, Sayyed Asim Ali, and others, were charged with conspiracy and carrying out the murder. Following their arrest in a joint operation by the Gujarat ATS and Lucknow Police, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind publicly confirmed its role in providing legal and financial assistance to the accused. This support, confirmed by Jamiat’s Secretary Hakimuddin Qasmi and General Secretary Maulana Mahmood Madani, was provided through advocate Abdul Qayyum Ansari. In a significant development, the Supreme Court granted bail to Sayyed Asim Ali, the alleged mastermind, in July 2024. According to the Supreme Court, there are a total of 13 accused in the case, of whom nine have been granted bail, while four remain in jail. Jamiat’s involvement in providing legal and financial support to the accused in a case involving the murder of a Hindu leader has been a major point of contention and criticism.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind provides legal aid to Al-Qaeda suspects in Uttar Pradesh
In a controversial move, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has extended legal support to two suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists, Minhaj Ahmad and Masiruddin, who were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Lucknow. The arrests led to the discovery of pressure cooker bombs, detonators, and 6–7 kilograms of explosives. The accused are linked to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a Kashmiri unit of Al-Qaeda, and are suspected of conspiring to carry out human bomb attacks targeting several locations and BJP leaders in Lucknow. The Jamiat’s legal aid committee, led by Gulzar Azmi and with lawyer Abdul Qayyum Ansari representing the accused, has demanded a fast-track trial. The organisation’s support for the accused, who are currently in judicial custody, has raised significant concerns about its role in defending individuals linked to a globally recognised terror organisation.
Jamiat’s legal aid to German Bakery blast accused
On February 13, 2010, the German Bakery in Pune was struck by a bomb blast that resulted in the deaths of 17 people and injured over 60 others. The accused in this case, Mirza Himayat Baig, was arrested on September 7, 2010, on charges of being connected to the Indian Mujahideen and being involved in the conspiracy to carry out the blast.
Following his arrest, the organisation Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind stepped in to provide legal aid to Baig. Advocate Aijaz Naqvi from the Pune High Court represented him in Sessions Case No. 327/2010, also known as the German Bakery Blast Case (Maharashtra) State vs. Mirza Himayat Baig & Others.
In 2013, the Pune sessions court convicted Baig for murder, criminal conspiracy, and terrorism-related activities under the Explosives Act, sentencing him to death. However, in March 2016, the Bombay High Court acquitted him of most serious charges, including murder and planting the explosives, and commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment. Mirza Himayat Baig is currently imprisoned in an Anda Cell at Nashik Central Jail.
The case and Jamiat’s involvement have been a subject of debate. Critics argue that providing legal aid to an accused terrorist is wrong, as it could be seen as supporting a person responsible for heinous crimes. They believe that such actions undermine the justice system and may show a lack of empathy for the victims.
Jamiat forms special legal team to defend Jama Masjid blast accused
On September 19, 2010, a pressure cooker bomb exploded in a car outside Delhi’s Jama Masjid, injuring two Taiwanese tourists. The attack, allegedly carried out by the Indian Mujahideen (IM), was intended to create terror during the Commonwealth Games and to avenge the 2008 Batla House encounter. The main accused is Yasin Bhatkal, a co-founder of the IM, along with ten others, including Asadullah Akhtar. The charges against them include criminal conspiracy, bomb blasts, attacking foreign nationals, and attempted murder under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Explosive Substances Act, UAPA, and IT Act. Delhi Police Special Cell arrested several of the accused from various states, with Bhatkal himself apprehended at the Indo-Nepal border in 2013.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Legal Cell provided legal assistance to the accused. Advocate M.S. Khan is representing them in Sessions Case No. 39/2011, also known as the Jama Masjid Blast Case (Delhi State vs. Qateel Siddiqui & Others).
The case is currently ongoing at the Patiala House Court in Delhi. In 2023, the court framed charges against Yasin Bhatkal and Asadullah Akhtar. However, three other accused-Sayed Islami, Abdush Saboor, and Riyaz Ahmed Sayeed-were acquitted by the court in 2022 due to lack of evidence. Yasin Bhatkal is also facing trials in other terrorism cases and was sentenced to death in the 2013 Hyderabad Dilsukhnagar blast case on December 19, 2016.
Jamiat’s actions in providing legal aid to accused terrorists could be seen as deeply problematic. By defending individuals linked to groups like the Indian Mujahideen, Jamiat is actively undermining national security and the fight against terrorism. The resources and support should be directed towards victims of such attacks, not the perpetrators. Providing a robust legal defense to those accused of acts of terror, which are often aimed at destabilising the country and targeting innocent citizens, is an attempt to weaken the judicial process and potentially allow dangerous individuals to escape justice.
Jamiat defends Ahmedabad blast accused, declares them innocent
On July 26, 2008, the city of Ahmedabad was rocked by a series of 21 bomb blasts that killed 56 people and injured over 200 others. The accused, including Mujahid Sheikh, Sajid Mansoori, Atik Ahmed, and Zia-ur-Rahman, were all allegedly linked to the Indian Mujahideen (IM). The charges against them included acts of terrorism, bomb blasts, murder, and sedition. The Gujarat Police and ATS initiated a nationwide crackdown following the attacks, leading to the arrest of numerous suspects from July 2008 through 2009.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Legal Cell provided legal representation for many of the accused, even holding a press conference to declare the innocence of Zia-ur-Rahman. Advocate Khalid Shaikh was appointed to handle the case, known as Special Case No. 4/2008, or the Ahmedabad Blast Case (Gujarat) State vs. Safdar Nagori & Others. Jamiat bore the legal expenses for the accused.
In 2022, the court delivered its verdict, sentencing 38 of the accused to death and 11 to life imprisonment. All the convicted individuals are currently in jail, while 28 of the accused in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blast case have been acquitted.
Jamiat’s involvement in this case is viewed with serious concern. This viewpoint would argue that Jamiat’s declaration of the accused as “innocent” even before the trial concluded is a direct interference in the judicial process and a form of pressure on the legal system. By financing the legal defense of individuals accused of one of the country’s most horrific terror attacks, Jamiat is seen as providing support to those who sought to harm the nation. The act of openly supporting alleged terrorists, especially after an attack that caused such a massive loss of life, is seen as an attempt to create a narrative that discredits the justice system and may embolden other extremist elements.
Jamiat backs SIMI terrorists with legal team
In March 2008, the Madhya Pradesh Police Special Task Force (STF) conducted raids in several cities, including Indore, Ujjain, and Bhopal, leading to the arrest of top leaders and members of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). The accused, including SIMI chief Safdar Nagori and Irfran Muchale, along with 12 others, were charged with plotting a terror network, training with weapons, sedition, and other extremist activities. The arrests were made simultaneously across multiple cities by the STF. SIMI, founded on April 25, 1977, was banned by the Indian government as a terrorist organisation in 2001. Although the ban was briefly lifted in 2008, it was later reinstated.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind provided legal aid to the accused, including Irfran Muchale, in the SIMI conspiracy case (Madhya Pradesh). Advocate Nadeen A. Shaikh from the Bhopal High Court represented them in the case, Sessions Trial No. 327/2008, at the District and Sessions Court in Bhopal.
In 2017, the Bhopal District Court sentenced Safdar Nagori, Irfran Muchale, and nine other accused to life imprisonment. Appeals against the convictions are pending in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. However, the hearing on the appeals has been halted due to a stay on IPC 124A (sedition) by the Supreme Court.
Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind defends accused in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks
On November 26, 2008, Mumbai was hit by a series of co-ordinated terrorist attacks at various prominent locations, including the Taj Mahal Hotel and Nariman House, which claimed the lives of 166 people. Two individuals, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, were arrested on February 10, 2008, by the Uttar Pradesh Police Special Task Force in connection with an attack on a CRPF camp in Rampur. They were later implicated in the Mumbai attacks on charges of conspiring to carry out the attacks, preparing maps of the target locations, and providing information to terrorists located in Pakistan. On January 12, 2009, a Mumbai court sent both men to police custody.
Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind stepped in to provide legal aid. The initial defense counsel was Shahid Azmi (Sessions Case No. 175/2009), working under the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Legal Cell. After his death, the legal proceedings were overseen by Gulzar Azmi, who was the Secretary of the Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind’s Maharashtra unit and head of the organisation’s legal cell.
The Jamiat Legal Cell provided full legal support throughout the judicial process. On May 3, 2010, the trial court (Special Sessions Court, Mumbai) acquitted both Ansari and Ahmed of all charges. The Bombay High Court upheld this acquittal on February 21, 2011, and the Supreme Court of India finalised the acquittal on August 29, 2012, concurring with the High Court’s decision.
Jamiat’s legal aid to accused in Mulund blasts
From December 2002 to March 2003, a series of three bomb blasts rocked Mumbai at Mumbai Central railway station, Vile Parle, and a Mulund train. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 12-13 people and left 71 injured. The main accused included Saquib Nachan, Aatif Mullah, Hasib Mullah, and Ghulam Kotwal. Between April and May 2003, 16-25 suspects were arrested and charged under various sections, including the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Legal Cell provided legal assistance to the accused. Led by Gulzar Azmi, the legal cell’s initial legal team included Shahid Azmi, who was later murdered. The case was subsequently fought by Advocate Mubin Solkar from the Mumbai High Court.
In a decision announced on March 29, 2016, a special POTA court handling the series of blasts convicted 10 of the 13 accused. Three key accused – Haroon Lohar, Nadeem Paloba, and Adnan Mulla – were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. This demonstrates that Jamiat’s legal aid ensured a fair trial, leading to acquittals for those where the prosecution’s case was weak.
Jamiat defends accused in Gateway of India blasts
On August 25, 2003, two car bomb blasts rocked Mumbai at the Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar. The attacks killed over 50 people and injured more than 150. The accused, Ashrat Ansari, Hanif Sayyed, and Fehmida Sayyed, were allegedly linked to the Pakistani terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba. They were charged with conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks, murder, criminal conspiracy, and offenses under the Explosives Act. The arrests took place between August and September 2003.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind provided legal assistance to the accused through its legal aid committee, led by Gulzar Azmi. Advocate Mubin Solkar was appointed to represent the accused in MCOCA Special Case No. 4/2003.
In 2009, a special POTA court convicted all three accused and sentenced them to death. The Bombay High Court upheld this sentence in 2012.
From the cases reviewed, a clear pattern emerges: the organisation Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind has consistently provided legal assistance to individuals accused of involvement in major acts of terrorism across India. This legal aid has been extended to individuals linked to some of the country’s most devastating bomb blasts and terror conspiracies.
Jamiat’s involvement has taken various forms, from appointing a dedicated team of lawyers and bearing legal expenses to publicly declaring the innocence of the accused even before a verdict was reached. The organisation’s actions have ensured that those accused of serious crimes, including murder, sedition, and conspiracy, received legal representation throughout the judicial process.
The outcomes of these cases have varied. In some instances, the legal defense led to the acquittal of the accused on all or most of the serious charges, with the courts citing a lack of sufficient evidence. In other cases, individuals were convicted and sentenced to long prison terms or even death. Regardless of the final verdict, Jamiat’s role has been to engage with the legal system to challenge the prosecution’s case and provide a defense for the accused.
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