HuT exhibited Islamic nations' military might: NIA in special court

National Investigation Agency, in its charge sheet against Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) members, has alleged that the accused organised an exhibition to showcase the military might of Islamic nations that would be invited (Nussrah) to overthrow the legally established government in India through violent jihad and war.

The agency on Monday filed a supplementary charge sheet before a special NIA court in which it named Abdul Rehman and Mujibur Rehman under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for conspiring and preparing to undertake terrorist acts to promote the HuT ideology in Tamil Nadu and other places. The two were arrested in June this year by NIA.

According to the NIA, investigations have revealed that the accused had conspired with self-styled office bearers of HuT to propagate the outfit's ideology, aimed at establishing Islamic Caliphate in India and enforcing the Sharia-based draft constitution written by HuT founder Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani. As per the NIA investigation, the accused were actively involved in recruiting Daris (students) to HuT's secret classes. They had also conducted 'bayan' (religious exposition) classes and had made several short films to further the organisation's anti-India ideology on social media.

The Lebanon-based fundamentalist group has a presence in Western countries, including the UK, and was banned following a pro-Palestine street protest in October last year, for praising Hamas for its action in Israel.

India recently placed the group under UAPA, after its sleeper cells emerged in MP, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The first module of HuT was busted by the Madhya Pradesh anti-terrorist squad early this year. According to officials, the case was subsequently transferred to NIA by the Union home ministry. The agency later filed a charge sheet against 17 HuT members.