A special NIA court in Mumbai has sentenced three Bangladeshi nationals to five years in prison for illegally infiltrating India, possessing fake documents, and aiding terror outfits operating within the country. The convicted individuals, identified as Mohammed Habibur Rehman Habib alias Raj Jesub Mandal, Hannan Anwar Hussain Khan alias Hannan Baburali Gazi, and Mohd Azarali Subhanallah alias Raja Jesub Mandal, were also fined Rs 2,000 each.
The trio was found guilty under various sections of the now-repealed Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Foreigners Act of 1946. In addition to the three Bangladeshis, two other individuals, Mohammed Ripen Hossain alias Rubel and Mohammed Hassnali, were also convicted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court.
The case against the defendants dates back to a 2018 FIR filed by Pune Police after receiving intelligence that several Bangladeshi nationals were residing in Pune without valid documents. These individuals were allegedly involved in aiding members of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a group with known links to the terror organization Al-Qaida. The NIA investigation revealed their role in facilitating terrorist activities, further escalating national security concerns.
The convictions and sentences underscore the government’s continued efforts to tackle illegal immigration and prevent terror financing networks operating on Indian soil.
