NIA takes over Shivamogga IS radicalisation case after Karnataka police invoke UAPA

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has now assumed responsibility for the Bhadravathi Islamic State radicalisation case in Karnataka's Shivamogga district. This shift in jurisdiction followed the Karnataka Police invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the case. The case centers around a 21-year-old electronics showroom employee, Mohammed Ghouse, who was arrested in August over suspected links to Islamic State handlers.

Ghouse, an electronics store employee from Bhadravathi in Shivamogga, was initially charged under the UAPA for alleged involvement in a domestic terrorist act. However, subsequent investigations revealed his alleged involvement with an IS module, found in Uttar Pradesh following the arrest of Haris Ali, a 19-year-old dental student in March.

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Ghouse had received screenshots on his mobile phone about the making of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and had procured some materials for their creation. He was also found in contact with an IS handler and a local associate in Karnataka. The youth had reportedly been radicalised and adopted a hardcore ideology.

Ghouse sought bail in September, but the matter is yet to be heard by the court. In March, the United Provinces (UP) Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Haris Ali in Moradabad on similar allegations. The arrest came after intelligence inputs about several individuals in UP and other parts of the country being in touch with IS handlers based in Pakistan.