A Delhi court has ordered framing of charges against banned terrorist organisation Indian Mujahideen's (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and several of its operatives, including Mohammad Danish Ansari, in a case of conspiring to wage war against India in 2012.
Additional Sessions Judge Shailender Malik said there was enough evidence to put the accused on trial.
In an order on March 31, the court said prime facie the accused, who were members of the IM, entered into criminal conspiracy to wage war against India.
It noted that in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy, functionaries of the IM undertook large-scale recruitment of new members for commission of terrorist activities in various parts of India, with active aid and support from Pakistan-based associates as well as sleeper cells within the country to commit terrorist acts by bomb blasts at prominent places in India, especially Delhi.
Indian Mujahideen operatives and its frontal organisations had been receiving regular funds from abroad through hawala channels for their terrorist activities, the NIA told the court.
It said the accused used to raise the issue of Babri masjid, Gujarat riots and other alleged atrocities on Muslims to radicalise the minds of Muslim youth in their effort to recruit them for terror activities.
The court framed charges against Bhatkal, Ansari, Mohd Aftab Alam, Imran Khan, Syed, Obaid Ur Rehman, Asaudullah Akhtar, Ujjair Ahmad, Mohd Tehsin Akhtar, Haider Ali and Zia Ur Rehman.
The judge discharged Manzar Imam, Ariz Khan and Abdul Wahid Siddibappa, saying the prosecution failed to provide prima facie evidence against them.
Advocates M S Khan and Qausar Khan, appearing for the accused, opposed the NIA submission, claiming the evidence produced by the probe agency has already been taken into consideration in an earlier trial against an accused, and that the same evidence alone cannot be taken into consideration again in another trial of same accused or even with other co-accused.
The defence counsel said they will challenge the order before the superior court.
Featured Video Of The Day
Video: Passengers Panic, Scream For Rescue As Ferry Sinks Near Mumbai
Terrorist Planning Lone Wolf Attack On Security Personnel Arrested In Madhya Pradesh: Cops Indian Mujahideen Terrorist Sentenced To 10 Years In Jail 4 Terrorists Get 10 Years Of Jail For 2012 Attacks Across India "Learnt Kung Fu To Hurt MPs?" BJP After MP Blames Rahul Gandhi For Injury "Entitled To Relief": Vijay Mallya On Banks Recovering Rs 14,131 Crore Assets Ambedkar Row: Congress Doubles Down After BJP's Soros Edit Of Protest Pic How Pakistani Firms, Sanctioned Today By US, Were Aiding Its Nuke Program Influencer Offers Her Breast Milk To Colleagues At Christmas Party Power Failed At SpaceX Mission Control Before September Spacewalk Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.