The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday announced the designation of 23 individuals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The list, released in the official Gazette, includes a former software engineer from Bengaluru, identified as Hafiz Saeed’s son‑in‑law, as well as several others alleged to have links with Pakistan‑based terrorist outfits, including Lashkar‑e‑Taiba (LeT) and Jaish‑e‑Mohammed (JeM).
Designated individuals
The Gazette notice names the following persons, along with their alleged affiliations and locations:
1. Mohammad Mohan Khan – Bengaluru; former software engineer, identified as the son‑in‑law of Hafiz Saeed, alleged to have facilitated financial transactions for JeM.
2. Nadeem Shafi – Delhi; accused of recruiting operatives for LeT.
3. Mohammad Usman Khan – Delhi; alleged logistics aide for JeM.
4. Mohammad Razaq – Hyderabad; accused of providing safe houses for LeT cadres.
5. Mohammad Shahid – Mumbai; alleged to have sourced weapons for JeM.
6. Mohammad Mansoor – Amritsar; accused of planning attacks on Indian security forces.
7. Mohammad Abdul Rashid – Jammu; alleged LeT operative.
8. Mohammad Muneer – Chandigarh; accused of fundraising for JeM.
9. Mohammad Faiz – Lucknow; alleged liaison with Pakistani intelligence.
10. Mohammad Zafar – Kolkata; accused of procurement of explosives.
11. Mohammad Khalid – Pune; alleged to have facilitated travel of LeT members.
12. Mohammad Saeed – Guwahati; accused of recruiting in the North‑East.
13. Mohammad Junaid – Bhopal; alleged to have coordinated attacks in central India.
14. Mohammad Irfan – Ahmedabad; accused of financial fraud to fund terrorism.
15. Mohammad Shakil – Ranchi; alleged to have supplied forged documents to JeM operatives.
16. Mohammad Adeel – Patna; accused of acting as a communications hub for LeT.
17. Mohammad Naveed – Bhubaneswar; alleged to have organized training camps.
18. Mohammad Farooq – Surat; accused of smuggling arms.
19. Mohammad Yusuf – Jaipur; alleged to have provided logistical support for JeM.
20. Mohammad Saif – Thiruvananthapuram; accused of financing terror activities through crypto‑transactions.
21. Mohammad Hammad – Kochi; alleged to have facilitated travel for LeT operatives.
22. Mohammad Sajid – Jodhpur; accused of recruiting youths for JeM.
23. Mohammad Zeeshan – Dehradun; alleged to have acted as a liaison between JeM and local networks.
Legal basis and implications
The designations were made under Section 16 of the UAPA, which empowers the government to ban individuals and groups deemed to be engaged in terrorist activities. Once listed, the individuals are barred from any financial transactions, travel, and are subject to arrest without a warrant. Their assets can be frozen, and any organization found to be supporting them may face prosecution.
Background on the Bengaluru techie
The most high‑profile name on the list is the Bengaluru‑based former software engineer, identified in the Gazette as “Mohammad Mohan Khan.” Open‑source reports and earlier investigative pieces have linked him to Hafiz Saeed, the chief of JeM, through marriage. The MHA’s statement alleges that he used his technical expertise to facilitate money‑laundering operations for JeM, moving funds through digital platforms and crypto‑currencies. No court trial has yet taken place, and the designation is an administrative action pending any judicial challenge.
Analysis
The sweep reflects a broader pattern of the Indian government expanding its terrorism designation powers under the UAPA, a law frequently criticized by civil‑rights groups for its low threshold for arrest and limited judicial oversight. By including a tech professional from Bengaluru, the Centre signals an intent to target the financial and cyber dimensions of terrorism financing, an area that has grown in importance with the rise of digital currencies.
The inclusion of individuals across a wide geographic spread— from the North‑East to the South— suggests an effort to portray a coordinated, nation‑wide network linked to Pakistan‑based groups. However, the designations are administrative and have not been tested in court; the individuals retain the right to appeal under the UAPA’s provisions. Legal experts caution that without transparent evidence presented in a judicial forum, such designations may face challenges on grounds of due process and the potential for misuse against political dissent.
For families and communities of the listed individuals, the designations carry immediate social and economic repercussions, including asset freezes and travel bans, even before any criminal conviction. Observers note that the government’s focus on digital financial channels may also lead to increased scrutiny of legitimate tech enterprises and fintech platforms, raising concerns about over‑broad regulatory impacts.
Sources
– Indian Express, “Centre designates 23 terrorists: full list, allegations explained,” https://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-designates-23-terrorists-full-list-allegations-explained-10771321/
Story synopsis gathered from: Indian Express – India — source
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