The National Investigation Agency is conducting searches at the Mumbai residence of prisoners’ rights activist Abdul Wahid Shaikh, who is known for his advocacy against fabricated cases involving Muslim youth in India.
Shaikh, himself a survivor of state persecution and an author, was acquitted in the 7/11 blast case after spending nine years in jail under draconian anti-terror laws.
Around 5 AM, a large group of people, including both men and women in police uniforms, arrived at Shaikh’s home. In a video, Shaikh mentioned that they refused to reveal their identities or provide a search or arrest warrant. When he refused to open the door, they broke one of the doors and damaged the CCTV outside.
It was later confirmed that the uniformed individuals outside Shaikh’s home were part of an NIA raid, which commenced after a 5-hour delay with the presentation of the warrants.
This NIA raid was part of a broader operation, spanning multiple states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi, officials said.
A police officer said to Maktoob that the raid was to dismantle the modules of the banned Muslim organization Popular Front of India. The case was linked to causing disruption during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bihar last year. The National Investigation Agency took over the case, originally registered by Phulwari Sharif police station in Patna in July 2022, against Popular Front of India (PFI) members for conspiring to disrupt the prime minister’s visit.
The NIA is conducting raids at approximately five locations in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and various districts across Maharashtra, including Abdul Wahid Shaikh’s residence in Vikhroli, as well as locations in Bhivandi, Mumbra, and other districts.
(more to follow…)
