SIMI operative killed in Bhopal encounter an accused in Wagamon case

KOCHI: Mehaboob Malik alias Sheik Mehaboob alias Gudu (32), one of the eight SIMI operatives killed in an encounter while escaping from

Bhopal

Central Prison, is an accused in a case being probed by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Kerala. As per the final chargesheet filed by NIA on December 30, 2015, Mehaboob is the 31st accused in the case pertaining to a secret training camp organized by SIMI activists at

Thangalpara

near popular hill station

Wagamon

in Kerala in 2007.

According to NIA officials, Mehaboob had escaped from Khandawa Jail in

Madhya Pradesh

last year before getting arrested by Telangana police in February this year. The chargesheet says that Mehaboob was a tailor hailing from

Khandwa

in Madhya Pradesh. During the training camp at Wagamon, the participants had engaged in physical training, arms training, firing practice, and also training in petrol bomb making, motorbike racing and rope climbing. According to NIA, Mehaboob had taken part in the training camp with intent to bring hatred and contempt and to cause disaffection against the government of India. The agency had also found that classes were taken on Jihadi activities in India, prompting participants of the camp to wage war against India.

The NIA, in its second supplementary chargesheet filed on December 30, 2015, had arraigned Mehaboob under sections 18, 20 and 38 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The agency had earlier arraigned him under sections 120 (B) read with 122, 124(A) and 153 (A) of IPC; sections 25 and 27 of Indian Arms Act, 1959; sections 3 and 4 of the Explosives Substances Act, 1908; and sections 10 and13of UAPA on July 29, 2013. The 36th accused in the Wagamon camp case, Mohammad Abu Faisal Khan, is also lodged at Bhopal Central Prison. NIA special court in Kochi is all set to start trial in the case.