The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed a charge sheet in the Bardhaman blast case, naming 21 people in a conspiracy by the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB), a proscribed terrorist organisation, to overthrow that country’s democratic government through violent terrorist acts.
Four of the accused named in the 164-page charge sheet filed before an NIA Special Court in Kolkata are Bangladeshi nationals.
While 13 of the 21 accused are behind bars, the remaining eight, including three Bangladeshi nationals, are absconding.
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Speaking to journalists outside the court, NIA SP Vikram Khalate said the agency was able to file the charge sheet within the stipulated time.
“The accused persons have been charged individually with committing various criminal offences under Sections 16, 17, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Sections 419, 420, 467 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code,” NIA counsel Shyamal Ghosh told the court.
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Charges under different sections of the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Passports Act and the Foreigners Act have been brought against the 21 persons named in the charge sheet.
The charge sheet claimed that the NIA investigation showed that the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB) had established its network in many districts — particularly Murshidabad, Nadia, Malda, Birbhum and Burdwan in Bengal; Barpeta in Assam; and Sahibganj and Pakur in Jharkhand.
“More than 250 witnesses were examined and around 100 searches were conducted across West Bengal, Assam and Jharkhand. Explosives, chemicals, arms and ammunition and other incriminating materials were seized,” an NIA official said.
The charge sheet said a “network of terrorist training camps were found to be operating at selected madrasas and other hideouts, where chosen youths were indoctrinated in the violent jihadi ideology and trained for violent action using explosives and firearms.”