Investigation into Alleged Ricin Poison Terror Plot Transferred to NIA
Transfer of Investigation to NIA
The Ministry of Home Affairs has handed over the investigation into a suspected ricin poison terror plot to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), as confirmed by a senior officer from the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
Arrests Made in Connection with the Plot
On November 9 of the previous year, the ATS arrested Dr. Ahmed Mohiyuddin Syed, Azad Suleiman Sheikh, and Mohammad Suhail Mohammad Saleem for their alleged involvement in planning a significant terrorist attack using weapons and chemicals.
Charges Filed Under UAPA
The ATS has filed a case against the trio under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act.
Details of the Ricin Plot
Siddharth, the Superintendent of Police (ATS), informed a news agency that the Home Ministry has directed the transfer of the UAPA case related to the ricin chemical conspiracy to the NIA. Ricin is an extremely toxic substance that can be derived from the waste material left over from processing castor beans.
Arrests and Evidence Gathered
Previously, officials reported that the Gujarat ATS apprehended Dr. Syed, a native of Hyderabad, on November 7 in Gandhinagar near Adalaj, where he was found with two Glock pistols, a Beretta pistol, 30 cartridges, and four liters of castor oil.
Connections to International Terrorism
Sheikh and Saleem from Uttar Pradesh were arrested in Banaskantha district for allegedly supplying weapons to Dr. Syed. Authorities confirmed that Dr. Syed's handler, Abu Khadija, is based in Afghanistan and is linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Dr. Syed was also reportedly in contact with several individuals in Pakistan.
Dr. Syed's Preparations for a Major Attack
According to officials, Dr. Syed, who obtained his MBBS degree from China, was in the process of preparing ricin to execute a large-scale terrorist attack. He had begun necessary research, gathered equipment and raw materials, and initiated preliminary chemical processes.