No terrorist link, 3 Bangladeshis convicted for entering India illegally

The Pune Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had in 2018 apprehended three persons, and claimed they were Bangladesh nationals and in constant touch with members of Bangladesh-based terrorist organisation Ansarullah Bangla Team. Two others were arrested subsequently.

The court, however, said the prosecution had failed to establish they were members of a terrorist organisation. “…no iota of evidence brought on record showing that the accused had visited several places in India and prepared a list of targets/important places in the cities with an intention to commit terrorist acts in furtherance of larger conspiracy of ABT and Al-Qaida in India, and took part in terrorist activities being members of terrorist organisation ABT,” the court said, in the detailed order made available on Friday.

The ATS had in 2018 claimed that they provided logistic support to ABT in Pune city. The ATS had also claimed they had given shelter to a terrorist belonging to ABT. Three of the men had claimed they had entered India for labour work and were working at a construction site of the Pune collector office, and the other two were working at another site.

The case was subsequently taken over by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

During the trial, two of the five men pleaded guilty, and were also sentenced to five years in jail. Against the three convicted on Thursday, the court said there was no document shown by the three accused to prove they were Indian nationals. “…they had fraudulently obtained documents and on the basis of those documents procured Aadhar cards, pan cards from Indian authorities… under fictitious names, impersonating themselves as Indian nationals,” special judge B D Shelke said.