Kerala ATS Books 26-Year-Old Over Alleged Links to Anti-National Group

The Kerala Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has registered a fresh case and arrested a 26-year-old Malappuram native over his alleged links with an anti-national group, officials said on Thursday.

Muhammed Sanoof, a resident of Aikkarappadi in Malappuram, was detained in July after arriving at Karipur airport from Saudi Arabia. He had earlier been booked by Muttam police in Idukki district for allegedly posting an offensive comment under a video featuring the daughter of N Ramachandran, a Kochi native who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Idukki police subsequently invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Sanoof. During the investigation, examination of his mobile phone allegedly revealed links with members of anti-national groups, police sources said.

Investigators also allegedly found that Sanoof was part of a Signal messaging group suspected of conspiring to carry out anti-national activities in different parts of the country.

Based on the evidence gathered during the probe, the Kerala ATS registered a separate case last month against Sanoof and five other individuals identified as Azhari Kuraishi, Faizan Mohammed, Shaheer, Shoeb Ammed and Ibn Ahamed.

The accused have been booked under Sections 148 and 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to conspiracy, preparation or abetment to wage war against the Government of India. The ATS has also invoked Sections 18 and 18B of the UAPA, dealing with conspiracy or attempts to commit terrorist acts and recruitment for such acts.

Sanoof was recently arrested in connection with the fresh case and produced before the Ernakulam Additional District and Sessions Court on Wednesday. Judge Suresh Babu VPM remanded him to ATS custody until September 18.

The ATS has informed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) about the case and is investigating whether the alleged group was involved in any terrorist activities in India. Efforts are also underway to trace the other accused, suspected to be from different parts of the country.