Court sends IM's key operative to 7-day NIA custody

New Delhi: A special court on Friday sent alleged Indian Mujahideen's key operative Abdul Wahid Siddibapa to NIA custody for seven days after the agency said he was required to be interrogated in connection with fund transfer to the terror outfit.

32-year-old Siddibapa, a resident of Bhatkal in Karnataka, was produced before Special NIA Judge Rakesh Pandit, who said, "It is appropriate to say that custodial interrogation is required. I grant his custody to NIA for seven days."

In the application, The National Investigating Agency (NIA) sought 15 days custody of Siddibapa, submitting that he was in Dubai and had assumed the name of Khan and he was an important cadre of IM organisation for regularly transferring funds from Pakistan to UAE and then to India for terror activities here.

The agency also told the court that the accused was in touch with several IM members through electronic devices. Advocate M S Khan, who appeared for Siddibapa, opposed the plea for NIA custody saying that the NIA has already concluded arguments on charge in the case in which the accused has been arrested.

He also argued that his client's name never appeared anywhere in the charge sheet filed by NIA or in the list of proclaimed offenders or wanted persons. Siddibapa, cousin of Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, was held at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday after his arrival from Dubai.

According to NIA's FIR lodged in September 2012, members of IM, in association with other IM sleeper cells based in the country and others, were conspiring to commit terror acts, by making preparations for targeting various important and prominent 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 the commission of terrorist acts.

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