Thane court grants transit remand to suspect in ISI-underworld terror module case

A court in Thane has granted transit remand till June 5 to a 26yearold man arrested for his alleged links to a suspected terror and organised crime network with connections to Pakistans intelligence agency and the Mumbai underworld reported PTIThe accused identified as Huzaifa Farooque Ahmed Hashmi was apprehended in a joint operation conducted by the Delhi Police Special Cell and the Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad ATS Investigators claim that he was in contact with individuals linked to both the underworld and Pakistanbased operatives reported PTICourt Directs Production Before Delhi CourtJudicial Magistrate First Class SN Kannurkar on Wednesday allowed the transit remand application and directed the investigating agencies to produce Hashmi before the Patiala House Courts in New Delhi for further legal proceedings reported PTIThe court also instructed investigators to ensure compliance with all statutory safeguards and legal procedures during the transit periodInvestigators Cite Digital EvidenceDuring the hearing the prosecution presented preliminary evidence including screenshots of alleged chats and records of banking transactions According to investigators the material indicates that Hashmi was in contact with Yawar Khan a Pakistanbased operative who is under the scanner of Indian security agencies reported PTIOfficials argued that the evidence gathered so far warranted his transfer to Delhi for further questioning as part of the ongoing investigationAlleged Links to DCompany NetworkInvestigating agencies have alleged that Hashmi maintained close ties with Munna Jhingada a figure associated with the Mumbai underworld who is believed to be operating from Karachi reported PTIAuthorities are examining whether these alleged contacts were part of a larger network involving organised crime syndicates and individuals operating from outside India Investigators are also analysing financial transactions and communication records to establish the nature and extent of the suspected linksProbe Focuses on UnderworldISI NexusThe arrest comes amid an ongoing investigation into an alleged nexus between elements of the Mumbai underworld and Pakistans InterServices Intelligence ISI Security agencies have intensified their efforts in recent weeks to uncover possible links between criminal networks and individuals suspected of involvement in antiIndia activitiesAs part of the probe coordinated searches and raids were recently conducted at several locations across Mumbai and nearby areas Investigators are examining electronic devices financial records and communication data collected during these operationsInvestigation ContinuesOfficials have not disclosed the full scope of the investigation citing its sensitive nature However sources told PTI that the probe is focused on identifying the wider network of associates financial channels and communication links that may have facilitated the alleged activitiesWith inputs from PTI