Deported from Dubai, IM terrorist sent to NIA custody

A senior operative of the Indian Mujahideen, Abdul Wahid Siddibapa, was arrested here on Friday after being deported from Dubai. A court later sent him to a week's NIA custody.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Siddibapa, 32, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

A cousin of Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, he was described as the financial brain of the terror outfit.

A resident of Maqdoom colony in Bhatkal in Karnataka, the former perfume trader was wanted on charges of conspiring to stage terror attacks at various places in India.

From Dubai, Siddibapa allegedly recruited young Indians for the Indian Mujahideen and funded their activities.

Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Pandit sent him to seven days of custody with the NIA.

The NIA told the court that Siddibapa had been in touch with other Indian Mujahideen operatives through electronic communication.

From Dubai, Siddibapa recruited young Indians for the Indian Mujahideen and funded their activities, the NIA alleged.

"He was responsible in providing tactical, material and financial support to IM members in planning, preparing and organising terrorist activities," said a NIA source.

He also reportedly played an important function in raising funds for the Indian Mujahideen. "He is one of the oldest and senior most members of the group," the source said.

But Siddibapa's defence counsel opposed the NIA plea and said his name was not on any list including the wanted criminal list.

But officials maintained that a warrant of arrest and a Red Corner Notice had been issued against him, leading to his deportation from Dubai. The Red Corner Notice was issued in December 2013.

The extradition treaty between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came into force in 2000.

Siddibapa was wanted for his alleged involvement in the July 2006 Mumbai serial blasts, the 2008 Delhi blasts and the 2010 Chinnaswamy Stadium blast in Benguluru.

He allegedly routed money using both banking channels and the Western Union Money Transfer.

He left for Dubai much before the crackdown on the Indian Mujahideen started in 2008. He was detained in the United Arab Emirates and arrested in January 2014.

--IANS

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