Court sends IM key operative to judicial custody till July 1

A special court today sent Indian Mujahideen’s alleged key operative Abdul Wahid Siddibapa to judicial custody after NIA submitted that his further custodial interrogation was not required in the case.

32-year-old Siddibapa, a resident of Bhatkal in Karnataka, was produced before Special Judge Rakesh Pandit on expiry of his seven-day NIA custody.

Siddibapa, cousin of Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, was held at Indira Gandhi International Airport on May 20 after his arrival from Dubai.

Earlier while seeking his further remand by 15 days, the National Investigating Agency (NIA) had told the court that during the interrogation, the accused said that he was the handler in sever transactions through hawala for terror activities.

It had submitted that after the disclosure made by Siddibapa, a number of teams have been sent to several spots for verification of fund transactions in places like Mumbai.

It had also told the court that several other places, including Dubai, also needed to be verified in connection with fund transaction and teams will be sent to these places soon.

According to NIA’s FIR lodged in September 2012, members of IM, in association with other IM sleeper cells based in the country and outside, were conspiring to commit terror acts by making preparations for targeting various important places in India especially in Delhi by causing bomb blasts with the active aid and support from their Pakistan-based operatives and associates, thus, waging war against the government of India.

NIA had alleged that Siddibapa played an active role as the main conduit in the chain of fund supply from Pakistan via Dubai to other IM operatives based in India for commission of terrorist acts.

The court had on November 6, 2013 issued a non-bailable warrant against Siddibapa, which was extended time to time and thereafter, a Red Corner Notice was issued against him on December 3, 2013.