BENGALURU: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken a significant step in the case related to providing assistance to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Tehseen Nasir inside prison by filing a supplementary chargesheet against three additional accused. The fresh chargesheet, submitted before the designated NIA court, highlights how a network involving prison staff, police personnel and civilians allegedly facilitated the terrorist’s activities from within jail premises.
According to the NIA, the three newly named accused are Chand Pasha, an Assistant Sub-Inspector attached to the City Armed Reserve (CAR), Anisa Fathima, and Dr Nagaraj, who was serving as a psychiatrist at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. The agency has levelled serious allegations against all three, accusing them of providing financial support, leaking sensitive information and supplying illegal mobile phones to Tehseen Nasir, enabling him to remain in contact with operatives outside and continue terror-related activities.
The supplementary chargesheet follows the NIA’s earlier filing of a chargesheet against nine accused in the case, including absconding accused Junaid Ahmed. With the investigation widening, the agency claims to have unearthed further evidence pointing to a deeper conspiracy aimed at aiding the LeT operative despite his incarceration.
Anisa Fathima, identified as the mother of Junaid Ahmed, is accused of playing a crucial role in extending financial and logistical assistance to Tehseen Nasir. The NIA has alleged that, acting on her son’s instructions, Anisa Fathima provided funds to the jailed terrorist. Investigators have further claimed that she assisted in the management and movement of dangerous materials such as hand grenades and walkie-talkies and facilitated communication between various accused persons.
The chargesheet also states that Anisa Fathima helped another accused, Salman Khan, evade arrest. The NIA has described her role as pivotal in ensuring continuity of communication and support to the terror network, despite law enforcement efforts to dismantle it.
Chand Pasha, who was serving as an ASI with the City Armed Reserve, has been accused of leaking sensitive information related to suspected terrorists in exchange for money. According to the NIA, he passed on crucial details about Tehseen Nasir, including information regarding prison movements and escort arrangements, to Salman Khan.
Such leaks, the agency said, posed a serious threat to internal security, as they could have facilitated escape plans or attacks targeting police personnel involved in escort duties. The NIA has termed Chand Pasha’s actions a grave breach of trust, given his position in the police force.
Another key accused is Dr Nagaraj, who was working as a psychiatrist at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. The NIA has alleged that he was involved in the illegal smuggling of mobile phones into the prison and selling them to inmates in exchange for money. The investigation revealed that Tehseen Nasir was also provided with a mobile phone through this illegal channel.
Using the mobile phone, Nasir allegedly remained in touch with LeT handlers and associates outside the prison, coordinating and directing terror-related activities. The NIA has stated that the availability of such communication devices inside a high-security prison underscores serious lapses and deliberate collusion by insiders.
