During its prime phase of the reign of terror, ISIS was overall unsuccessful in India; except for its stronghold in states like Kerala. But they were able to influence a few more people in varying locations. Recently, former Congress MLA’s daughter-in-law was caught running an ISIS recruitment racket.
NIA raids residence of former Congress MLA’s son
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday raided the residence of the son of a former Congress member of the legislative assembly (MLA). The former MLA in question is B.M. Idinabba. Contesting on Congress ticket, he had been elected thrice from the Ullal constituency in Karnataka. He is known for his poetic and journalistic credentials as well.
According to a News18 report, the residence of B M Basha, Idinabba’s son, has been raided by NIA. The raid was conducted in Mastikatte village near Mangalore. An arrest has been made during the raid. NIA nabbed Maryam alias Deepthi for allegedly having links with ISIS.
Maryam is the daughter-in-law of Basha. In its statement, NIA said, “Today, NIA in co-operation with Karnataka Police arrested one ISIS operative Mundadiguttu Sadananda Marla Deepthi Marla alias Maryam w/o Anas Abdul Rahiman R/o Mangalore…,”. Anas Abdul Rahiman is the grandson of B.M. Idinabba.
Idinabba’s family is under investigations
The latest raid by NIA is in continuation with their investigation of Idinabba’s family members’ alleged link with ISIS. In August(2021), NIA had raided the residence of Ammar Abdul Rahiman, the cousin of Maryam’s husband. Maryam was also a suspect in that raid and was subject to interrogation by NIA. However, because there were not enough evidences, she was let off by the investigating agency.
A Karnataka Police officer said to News18 that Maryam was a Hindu before her marriage to Idinabba’s grandson. Her parental name is Deepthi Marla. She is from a reputed family and had received her education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In UAE, she was influenced by Islam and decided to marry an Islamist.
Maryam is alleged to be a recruiter for ISIS
Later, she became a recruiting agent for terrorists looking to establish imaginary Islamic Caliphates. She has been in constant touch with Ajmal, the granddaughter of Idinabba. Currently, Ajmal is an ISIS agent operating from Syria.
Detailing Maryam’s link with Ajmal, a senior Karnataka Police officer said, “Mariam alias Deepthi Marla was in touch with an ISIS member Ajmal, a granddaughter of late Idinabba. Ajmal is Idinabba’s daughter’s daughter. She happens to be her cousin. Ajmal fled to Syria a few years ago and she is believed to be a hardcore ISIS member”
NIA registered its case in March last year
The arrests were made in connection with a case registered in March (2021). NIA has arrested a total of 11 people in this regard. After registering the case, NIA arrested one Mohammed Ameen and his three assistants from Kerala. In August, it nabbed four more people from Karnataka and two women from Kerala.
A detailed statement by NIA read, “During investigation, it has been revealed that after the decline of ISIS Caliphate in Syria/Iraq, Deepthi Marla and Mohd. Ameen had visited Kashmir in January and March 2020 for Hijrah (religious migration) and for engaging in terrorist acts and supporting the activities of ISIS. Investigation has also revealed that Deepthi Marla was the kingpin of the instant ISIS conspiracy along with MohdAmeen,”
Security agencies’ efforts wasted by politicians’ relatives
For a brief period ISIS was posing an existential threat to human civilisation. It had garnered support from all corners of the world. In India, Kerala and Karnataka had emerged as a hotbed for ISIS recruiters. Some of them did try to return, but the Modi government refused to allow them to tamper with our internal security.
Security agencies give their blood and sweat to fence our borders and protect our children. On the other hand, close relatives of former MLA of the oldest party in India (Congress) are actively supportive of Islamic radicals. This duality needs to be solved.
