NIA's Request For Further Remand Denied, Accused In ISIS Module Case Sent Back To Judicial Custody

In the latest development of the ISIS module case, a special court on Monday ordered the two accused, Zubair Shaikh and Zulfikar Ali, to be remanded back to judicial custody, dismissing the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) plea for further remand. The duo had been among the four individuals arrested by the NIA earlier this month in connection with the ISIS module case and had previously been remanded to judicial custody by the special NIA court.

Last Friday, the court had granted custody of Zubair Shaikh and Zulfikar Ali to the NIA until July 31, based on the agency's claim that they had provided "fund and shelter" to two other suspects who were apprehended by the Pune unit of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in a separate case.

According to the NIA, they received information about the arrest of two persons by the ATS in Rajasthan in connection with a terror-related case, and they believed that these individuals had conducted reconnaissance at six to seven locations in the country, with Shaikh and Ali providing them with shelter and financial support, as PTI reported. 

During Monday's proceedings, the NIA sought a further 10-day custody of the accused, citing fresh revelations made during the interrogation. The agency pointed out that the suspects were using code words in their communications with witnesses and handlers, requiring further investigation and decoding.

However, Advocate Zeeshan Khan, representing Zubair Shaikh, argued that there were no new grounds to justify seeking extended custody in the present remand.

After considering all arguments, the court decided to remand the accused back to judicial custody. Meanwhile, the Pune ATS has also filed a plea seeking custody of Zulfikar Ali in connection with their case, and the court is scheduled to hear their request on Tuesday.