New Delhi, 2 Jan 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted three accused, including a psychiatrist, in a 2023 case linked to Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Bengaluru, officials said on Friday.

In its second supplementary chargesheet filed before a special court in Bengaluru on Thursday, the agency named Anees Fathima, Chan Pasha A, and Nagaraj S under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Karnataka Prisons Act.

The NIA, which took over the investigation from the Bengaluru City police in October 2023, had earlier chargesheeted nine accused, including absconder Junaid Ahmed.

The city police originally registered the case in July 2023 following the recovery of arms, ammunition, and digital devices from habitual offenders who had allegedly planned to unleash terror in Bengaluru with the intent of disrupting India’s sovereignty and internal security, according to an official statement.

The agency said the activities were aimed at promoting the interests of the LeT and formed part of a larger conspiracy to facilitate the escape of T Naseer, a life convict in multiple terror cases, while he was being transported from prison to court. Naseer was an under-trial prisoner in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blast cases at the time.

Among the three newly chargesheeted accused, Anees Fathima was identified as the mother of Junaid Ahmed. The NIA said she provided logistical support and funds to Naseer inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, Bengaluru.

Fathima was also involved in handling hand grenades and walkie-talkies on her son’s directions and facilitated communication between various accused, the agency said. Investigations further revealed her role in harbouring key accused Salman Khan and helping him abscond to Dubai by arranging his travel documents. Salman was later extradited to India from the Republic of Rwanda.

Chan Pasha A, an assistant sub-inspector attached to the City Armed Reserve-South, Bengaluru City, allegedly received illegal gratification from Salman Khan for sharing information about the escort details of Naseer, with whom he had come into contact while on prisoner escort duty.

Nagaraj S, a psychiatrist on deputation at the Central Prisons Hospital in Parappana Agrahara, was accused of illegally smuggling mobile phones into the prison and selling them to inmates for cash. One of these phones reached Naseer, who allegedly used it to communicate with co-accused to further the terror conspiracy, the NIA said.