10 October,2023 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan
Representational images. Pic/iStock
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Mumbai sentenced two individuals to five years in prison in the Pune Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) case. This case is about their involvement in harbouring ABT terrorists, a front organisation affiliated with al Qaeda.
On March 16, 2018, the Maharashtra Police initiated an investigation based on information that several Bangladeshis were residing in Pune without valid documentation. These individuals were found to be providing support to ABT members.
Acting swiftly, the police apprehended Mohamed Habibur Rehman Habib, also known as Raj Jesub Mondal, at Dhobighat, Bhairoba Nala, Pune. Subsequently, five Bangladeshi nationals were arrested.
The NIA took over the case's investigation on May 18, 2018. During investigation, it was uncovered that the arrested Bangladeshis had entered India illegally. They had fraudulently acquired PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and ration cards using fictitious identities and employed these documents to obtain Indian SIM cards, open bank accounts, and seek employment within the country.
They were also found to have given refuge to ABT members. Financial support was also extended to Tushar Biswas, a confirmed member of ABT, and other associates. On September 7, 2018, the NIA filed charge sheets against all the arrested suspects.
