Suspected Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Talib Ali remanded in seven-day NIA custody

NEW DELHI: A suspected member of banned Hizbul Mujahideen was today remanded in seven days of NIA custody by a Delhi court in connection with a case lodged in 2011 for allegedly distributing funds received from PoK for terror strikes in India.

Accused Talib Ali was produced before district judge I S Mehta during an in-camera proceeding from a jail in Kashmir and the NIA sought his custodial interrogation saying that he was required to be quizzed regarding the distribution of funds for terror strikes.

According to court sources, the probe agency told the court that Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin, who is absconding and is believed to be in the PoK, was one of the main conspirators and Ali was receiving funds in India for terror activities.

The court had earlier issued a non-bailable warrant against Salahuddin.

Ali was arrested in connection with the case in the court itself and the NIA said his name had cropped up during the interrogation of one of the arrested accused Dawood, who is currently lodged in jail under judicial custody, the sources said.

They also said the probe agency told the court that Ali was required to be interrogated for unearthing the entire conspiracy and also to know about the whereabouts of the other conspirators who were involved in the case.

The court allowed the plea and remanded Ali in seven days NIA custody in connection with the case lodged under various sections of the IPC and under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The agency had said that funds were received from abroad, especially from PoK, for financing Hizb cadres for promoting terrorist activities in India.