ED Raids 16 Locations in ISIS-Inspired Coimbatore Blast Terror Funding Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted searches at multiple locations across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Maharashtra as part of a money-laundering investigation into alleged terror financing linked to the 2022 Coimbatore car explosion case.

The central agency carried out searches at 16 premises in Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, and Mumbai under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The action was initiated after the ED took cognisance of several FIRs registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the blast near Sangameshwarar Temple in Coimbatore.

According to the ED, the October 2022 incident was an ISIS-inspired terror attack carried out by Jamesha Mubeen, who allegedly used a modified car loaded with explosives. Mubeen was killed when the vehicle exploded near the temple at Kottaimedu, Coimbatore, on October 23, 2022.

The agency alleged that the accused generated funds for their activities through two channels, a fake COVID-19 vaccine certificate racket and alleged fraudulent investments linked to Kovai Arabic College in Coimbatore. The ED claimed that money was collected from individuals seeking fake vaccination certificates without undergoing the actual vaccination process.

The investigation further revealed that around 12 accused persons, including Mubeen, had participated in online and offline sessions conducted by Kovai Arabic College. The agency alleged that the institution’s promoter, Jameel Basha, mentored the accused, following which they were exposed to Salafi-Jihadi ideology and allegedly became involved in planning the attack.

The ED stated that the probe is focused on tracing the financial network supporting extremist activities, identifying sources of funds, and examining the role of individuals and organisations allegedly connected to the conspiracy.

The raids are part of the wider investigation into the Coimbatore blast case, which has been handled jointly by central agencies to uncover the suspected links between terror financing, radicalisation networks, and banned extremist organisations.