August 12th 2023.
Shamil Saquib Nachan, a suspected member of the ISIS terror module, was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday. The Special Holiday court extended Nachan's custody until August 18. The NIA had appealed for a 14-day custody period to probe Nachan's purported role in plotting terror activities.
Shamil Nachan is the son of former SIMI member and ex-General Secretary of Indian Mujahideen Saquib Nachan. He was under suspicion for collaborating with six other individuals to develop, train, and assess Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) for potential acts of terrorism.
During the NIA investigation, two mobile numbers were traced to Shamil Nachan. One of these numbers was traced to Kondhwa in May 2022, coinciding with the time and location where all the suspects had congregated for the production, training, and testing of IEDs. The NIA's inquiry indicated that this particular number had been procured by the accused under another person's name, raising concerns that it might have been utilised for communication related to suspected terror activities.
During the court proceedings, Shamil admitted to using the phone number. He clarified that his vendor had procured the number in his name and handed it to him. He confirmed that he had discontinued its use a few months prior and was unaware of its current status.
The NIA requested custody on the basis of their intention to confront him with other co-accused individuals, aiming to ascertain his precise identity and role within the ISIS Maharashtra Terror Module. During the investigation, one of the IS terror accused, Quadir Pathan, disclosed that during a workshop held in May 2022, another accused named Akif Nachan had arranged explosive materials and related equipment. Quadir Pathan identified Shamil Nachan, remarking that he bore a resemblance to the stout individual who had participated in the IED workshop.
Following Akif Ateek Nachan's arrest and interrogation, he divulged the name of Shamil Nachan. The NIA had been searching for Shamil for a few days and had issued notices under Section 160 of the CrPC to both Shamil Nachan and Saquib Nachan. Both Saquib Nachan and Shamil Nachan visited the NIA office, where Shamil was identified.
Opposing the NIA's plea for custody, Shamil Nachan's attorney, Tahira Qureshi, expressed reservations regarding the NIA's investigative approach. She highlighted that the accused had not shown any intention to evade the case and had been entirely cooperative with the NIA. Qureshi also highlighted that Shamil Nachan had voluntarily presented himself before the agency upon receiving their notice, underscoring his dedication to establishing his innocence. Moreover, Qureshi emphasised that Shamil Nachan's beliefs were in alignment with the Quran's ideology, distinct from that of ISIS.
The NIA granted Shamil an 8-day remand with the objective of examining his physical presence at the suspected site. This investigation relies on Call Detail Records and other technical evidence to delve into his role and affiliations within the ISIS Maharashtra Terror Module.
As per NIA sources, Shamil Nachan was a mechanical engineering student who discontinued his studies in 2012 when he was implicated in the VHP Leader Manoj Recha murder case alongside his father Saquib Nachan. In recent times, he has been active in real estate transactions and property development. Furthermore, he is involved in a business venture connected to Kair wood supply, a key ingredient in the production of "Kattha" used in paan, in collaboration with a partner.
Following the Special Court's approval of the NIA's remand, Shamil Nachan made a request to his lawyer, Tahira Qureshi, asking for a copy of the Quran to be provided to him for the duration of the remand period. This was the 6th arrest made in the ISIS Maharashtra Module Case, with the accused Aakif Nachan allegedly involved in the fabrication of IEDs.
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