A Special NIA Court in Coimbatore on Monday sentenced two local residents to 8 years of Rigorous Imprisonment for recruiting and spreading the ideology of the global terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The convicted men are Muhammad Azharudeen (27) of Anbu Nagar, Ukkadam, and Shiek Hidayathulla alias Firoz Khan (35) of South Ukkadam.
Charges & Sentencing
The court found both guilty of:
Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) – criminal conspiracy,
Section 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) – membership of a terrorist organisation, and
Section 39 of UAPA – support to a terrorist organisation.
Each was awarded 8 years of imprisonment under these offences. However, the court clarified that the sentences will run concurrently, meaning they will effectively serve 8 years in total.
Case Background
The case was registered in 2019 after intelligence inputs revealed that Azharudeen and his associates were actively promoting ISIS ideology with the intention of recruiting vulnerable youth in South India, particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, for potential terrorist attacks.
The probe gained urgency in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attacks in Sri Lanka in April 2019, which killed over 250 people. Investigators suspected similar radicalisation efforts were underway in southern India.
Radical Content & Influences
According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the accused frequently consumed and circulated speeches and videos of radical Islamist preachers, including:
- Anwar-Al-Awlaki, a Yemeni-American cleric linked to Al-Qaeda,
- Abu Bara,
- Moosa Cerantonio, an Australian preacher, and
- Zahran Hashim, the Sri Lankan mastermind of the Easter bombings.
These materials, investigators said, were used to indoctrinate youth and encourage them to join or support ISIS.
Significance Of The Verdict
The conviction highlights the NIA’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on radicalisation networks operating in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. By handing down rigorous imprisonment, the court has sent a strong message against those attempting to propagate extremist ideologies or recruit for banned organisations.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
