New Delhi, Jan 17 (KNS) : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against five individuals for their alleged involvement in an online radicalisation network operated by the proscribed terror outfit Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) in Gujarat. The case reveals a systematic campaign using social media to propagate extremist ideologies and incite violence against the state.
In a statement, the agency identified the accused as Mohammad Fardeen (Ahmedabad), Kureshi Sefulla (Modasa, Gujarat), Mohammad Faique (Old Delhi), Zeeshan Ali (Noida, Uttar Pradesh), and Shama Parveen (Bengaluru, Karnataka). They have been charged under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Arms Act.
The case, registered as RC-02/2025/NIA/AMD, was initially investigated by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) before being taken over by the NIA. The ATS had seized incriminating materials in both physical and digital formats, along with weapons including a semi-automatic pistol and a sword, from two of the accused.
The NIA's investigation uncovered that the accused extensively used social media platforms to disseminate AQIS's anti-India propaganda. Through provocative posts, videos, audios, and images, they allegedly called for an armed rebellion against the democratically elected Indian government and advocated for the establishment of a Caliphate based on Sharia law.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe probe also found them promoting the ideologies of other banned terrorist organisations to radicalise vulnerable youth.
According to the NIA, Mohammad Faique played a central role, sharing radical content on topics like Jihad, Ghazwa-e-Hind, and sectarian violence via his Instagram account and a dedicated group. He actively conspired with the other accused to amplify this violent rhetoric.
The chargesheet states that Fardeen, Sefulla, and Ali collaborated to create, share, and promote radical audio-visual content. They regularly engaged with posts inciting Jihad and rebellion, while advocating for the implementation of Khilafat and Sharia law.
Shama Parveen is alleged to have propagated AQIS videos through her social media and participated actively in extremist groups following the Pahalgam attack and 'Operation Sindoor'. Investigations revealed her regular contact with a Pakistani national, Sumer Ali, with whom she shared screenshots and discussed banned literature. Her mobile phone yielded recoveries of incriminating books by extremist ideologues, videos, and Pakistani contact numbers.
The NIA traced the digital footprints of the accused, identifying key posts that strengthened the evidence against them. Investigations are ongoing under Section 193(9) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). (KNS)