Assam Congress Chief To Defend IIT-Guwahati Pupil Allegedly Linked To ISIS In Court docket

Assam Congress chief and Karimganj seat candidate, Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Chowdhury, will act because the authorized consultant for Tauseef Ali Farooqui, an IIT Guwahati pupil arrested final month on prices of alleged affiliation with ISIS, in courtroom.

Farooqui’s dad and mom, who’re at the moment in Guwahati, reached out to Chowdhury, who can be a senior advocate at Gauhati Excessive Court docket, and requested him to symbolize their son in courtroom.

The information of Congress chief Chowdhury representing Farooqui in courtroom has sparked controversy within the state.

Reacting to the information, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mentioned that Chowdhury’s choice to take up the case was geared toward gaining extra votes.

“No matter Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury mentioned is for the aim of getting extra votes; I’ve nothing to say. However everybody ought to do not forget that we’re at the moment main the Assam Authorities; we don’t spare any lawbreaker,” Sarma acknowledged.

Assam’s CM additional warned that every one conversations should adhere to the boundaries of the regulation, stating that strict motion will probably be taken towards anybody who exceeds these limits.

He added, “I want to warn everybody that every one conversations ought to stay inside the restrict of the regulation. If anybody crosses this boundary, strict motion will probably be taken. Those that violate the regulation will face penalties.”

Moreover, he additionally mentioned that the investigation into the case involving Farooqui is at the moment ongoing.

Talking to the media, Farooqui’s father, Ajmat Ali Farooqui, acknowledged that he had appointed the Congress chief because the advocate for his son.

“We do not know how our son acquired interested in ISIS. Since his childhood, my son was an excellent pupil; he was the topper in his tenth and twelfth examinations. However we don’t understand how he fell into the entice. As an Indian, I at all times respect the Indian Structure, and I shall at all times cooperate with the police,” Farooqui’s father famous.

Earlier right this moment, the Particular Activity Power (STF) of Assam Police summoned Guljar Hussain, an Imam of a mosque in Amingaon in north Guwahati, in reference to the case. Throughout their investigation, the police discovered that Farooqui steadily visited this mosque and repeatedly met with Hussain.

Nevertheless, Imam Guljar informed the police that Farooqui visited the mosque for prayers and infrequently engaged in conversations with him, however they didn’t talk about something ‘anti-national’.

ISIS Sleeper Cells in Assam Mosques: Police

The Assam Police acknowledged that they believe the presence of sleeper cells affiliated with ISIS or engaged in anti-national actions in some mosques within the state.

Moreover, the police famous that they’re nonetheless trying to find Farooqui’s cell phone, and if recovered, it may probably reveal extra details about his connections.

Farooqui, a final-year biotechnology pupil on the Indian Institute of Expertise-Guwahati (IIT-G), was arrested on March 24 underneath the Illegal Actions (Prevention) Act after allegedly pledging allegiance to ISIS on social media.

In an ‘Open Letter’ posted on LinkedIn on March 23, Farooqui expressed his disassociation from the Indian assemble, together with the Indian Structure and its establishments.

“My first step after my repentance is to make Hijrat (emigration) towards Muslimeen (Muslims) to a area often called Islamic State-Khorasan province to pledge my allegiance to the Muslim-Management (Islamic State)…It’s a battle between Muslimeen (those that have surrendered to Allah) and Kafireen (infidels)…,” the letter acknowledged.

(With inputs from Birinchi Kumar Deka, Guwahati)