Wednesday, February, 19,2025

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Delhi HC rejects plea against refusal of bail to man who took ISIS oath

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea against the refusal of bail to Mohammad Heydaitullah, an alleged ISIS operative accused of disseminating ISIS ideology online, promoting enmity against Hindus, and transferring funds from his account to support the terrorist organization.
Heydaitullah, an MBA graduate from Jamia, is alleged to have taken oath (Bayath) to ISIS in 2018 and conspired to establish Sharia law in India under the ISIS banner.
A division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma dismissed the appeal against the order passed by the special NIA court refusing bail to the appellant.
The Division bench said, "Under these circumstances, this Court is of the opinion that the impugned order does not warrant any interference."
"In view of the above, the present appeal is dismissed and disposed of accordingly. Pending application(s), if any, are also disposed of," the bench ordered on January 10, 2025.
While dismissing the appeal, the bench headed by Justice Prathiba M Singh noted, " In the present case as has been highlighted previously, the Appellant admittedly in 2018 had taken an oath (Bayath) in the name of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. Abu Bakr al Baghdadi is admittedly a well-known leader of ISIS and as per the chargesheet had declared the formation of a "caliphate" in June 2014."
The High Court also took note of the WhatsApp chats which showed the intention of the appellant to join ISIS.
"ISIS had been declared to be a terrorist organisation and judicial notice can be taken of the fact that the world at large knows about the activities of ISIS. The aforesaid chats further reflect the intention of the Appellant to join ISIS (Dawlah) and was ready to perform Hijrah (travel) for the same."
The bench noted, " In two sets of chats as it is recorded it was the Appellant who is asking other persons to find a way to reach Dawlah and not the other way around as claimed by the learned Senior Counsel for the Appellant. As already noted, the Appellant is an educated person and was well aware of the nature of the activities of ISIS."
"Moreover, it is not a case of passive support to a terrorist organisation, but rather the chats, as highlighted hereinabove, show that the Appellant was advocating Jihad in order to establish Khilafat ("Caliphate)". By doing so the Appellant was also trying to recruit the individuals on these online groups for such acts," the bench held.
The appellant Md. Heydaitullah had challenged the order of August 23, 2023, passed by a special NIA Judge in a case registered at P.S. NIA.
The appeal was opposed by Advocate Rahul Tyagi, the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for NIA.
As per the case of the prosecution, certain inputs were received regarding proscribed terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) running a campaign in cyberspace for radicalizing youths and carrying out terrorist activities in India and elsewhere.
It is alleged that one cyber identity by the name of Qasim Saini alias Qasim Khurasani along with his associates was actively involved in creating and disseminating ISIS-centric propaganda with the intention of motivating youths to take part in violent jihad.
The case of the prosecution is that the Appellant is a close associate of co-accused Basit Kalam Siddiqui and had conspired to establish Sharia law in India under the flag of ISIS by waging Jihad.
It is alleged that the Appellant was disseminating the ISIS ideology through cyberspace, and was spreading hatred against the Government of India by promoting enmity against Hindus on social media.
It is further alleged that the Appellant had transferred funds for the cause of ISIS from his bank account. Also, various incriminating materials have been found in the electronic devices recovered from the Appellant during the investigation.
The Appellant was arrested by the NIA on 22.10.2022 and was charge-sheeted by second supplementary chargesheet of April 2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 17, 18, 38, 39 of the UAPA and Sections 120-B/153-A and 153-B of the IPC.
Investigation revealed that the appellant was a member of many pro-ISIS groups. Once he received a message in the Telegram group voices of Al-Hol camp related to the donation of some money for Al-Hol Camp from telegram ID 'umm_imara'.
In that message, umm_imara shared a bank account number of Canara Bank in which funds had to be sent. He further sent Rs. 15000 on 30.07.2020 through NEFT from his Yes Bank account.
The same transaction is reflected in his bank statement.
Further, during scrutiny of seized mobile data, it was found that the appellant was a member of Voices of Al-Hol Camp telegram I'd and he got motivated to donate funds for the cause of ISIS, NIA charge sheet reads.
It is further alleged that he while chatting on a telegram group Voice of Al Hol camp got a message to donate money to support women and children of ISIS fighters, from a telegram user @ umm_imara. The bank account details for depositing the money were shared on the said group. He as an ardent member of ISIS, decided to donate the sum of Rs 15000.
During investigations, he was questioned regarding the transfer of money from his bank account to the bank account shared on the telegram group Al Hol Camp to help the cause of ISIS.
He informed that he wanted to help the women and children of ISIS fighters, so he transferred the money. This itself proves that he is an ISIS sympathiser. It is also corroborated by witnesses, the agency said.
Senior Counsel appeared for the Appellant and submitted that there was no evidence connecting the Appellant to any terrorist organization including ISIS.
The only allegation, which is relied upon by the prosecution, is the remittance of Rs15,000 from the Yes Bank account of the Appellant to one Mohd. Unais, which is not sufficient to hold that the Appellant was either a member of any terrorist organization or had in any manner donated or contributed to any terrorist organization for furthering its cause.
It was further submitted that in the initial FIR of 29.06.2021, no accusations were made against the Appellant. It was only after the Appellant was arrested on 20 October 2022 that this banking transaction was relied upon and the Appellant was arrayed as a co-accused in the second supplementary chargesheet.
Counsel appearing on behalf of the Appellant also submitted that the Appellant had not made any direct remittance to the lady Afa Ibrahim and the witness Mohammad Unais, to whom the Appellant had transferred Rs. 15,000 on 30.07.2020, had made a second remittance of equivalent Maldivian Rufiyaa to Afa Ibrahim, on the same date.
Further, it was submitted that there is no material on record showing that Afa Ibrahim, belonged to ISIS or that she was running any telegram group, bearing Telegram ID "umm_imara".
In the reply filed by the NIA, in respect of the telegram chats, it is recorded " Further during investigations it emerged that one lady having Telegram account similar to "umm_imara" i.e "umm3imarah" and "ummimarah0" used to raise funds for ISIS on the name of charity work for Al-Hol Camp. This clearly establishes that the accused Md. Heydaitullah had intentionally provided funds for ISIS.

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Daily Astro

19-02-2025

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Aries

Ganesha says it will be an important day for you, Aries. Your energy and confidence are ready to take you to new heights. Today you will be able to express your thoughts with clarity, which will increase your communication skills. New opportunities may arise in the working areas, which you have to be ready to take advantage of. In social life, you can make new meetings, which will prove beneficial for you in the future. This day will be good for solving family issues, and you will be able to establish better relations with your close ones. In the field of health, take care of your routine and resort to yoga or meditation to relieve mental stress. Controlling your expenses will be a smart move, as any sudden financial need may arise. Overall, this day is for you to stay positive, just use your insight and energy properly.

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Pisces

Ganesha says it is going to be a positive day for you. Your sensitivity and intuition will flourish today, allowing you to establish better connections between yourself and others. It is time to connect with someone or refresh old memories. Try to communicate with people close to you, as it will strengthen your relationships. In the field of work, your creativity will be cyclical today. If you are working on a project, your ideas will be new and full of innovation. Do not be afraid to share your ideas, it will give you positive feedback from your colleagues. In terms of financial condition, avoid any big investments. Small expenses will prove to be justified but think well before making any big decisions for the long term. In terms of health, focus on a balanced diet and regular exercise. For mental health, practicing meditation or yoga will help keep you stress-free.

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Aquarius

Ganesha says new opportunities are likely to open up for you. You will be in a position to take your creative abilities to new heights. This is the time to share your ideas and make new plans. Your friends and family will support your ideas, so it will be beneficial to take their advice into account. Positive changes are possible in business. This is the right time to work on an important project. You will get an opportunity to use your skills and knowledge properly. But, be careful; in some cases, you will need to control your emotions. In personal life, relationships will deepen. You will try to spend more time with your loved ones. This is a good time for love and companionship. Enjoy emotional moments that will make your relationships stronger. Be health conscious. Dedication to yoga and meditation will give you mental peace. These activities will keep not only your body but also your mind active. Overall, today will be full of possibilities for you. Stay committed to your dreams and work on them.

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Capricorn

Ganesha says your day is full of some new possibilities. You will experience grace and stability in your actions. This is the time to focus on your goals and work with determination to pursue your plans. You are likely to get success in your work, especially if you maintain your hard work and dedication. Positive changes can also be seen in your relationships. You will get a chance to spend time with family and listen to them, which will increase mutual understanding and depth. Focus on communication, as it will make your relationships stronger. However, it is also time to make monthly plans. Take care of your financial matters and try to save. This is the time when you can take concrete steps for your future. Your health condition is likely to remain normal but take some rest. Maintaining a mental balance will be important for you. Stay positive and keep faith in your actions!

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Sagittarius

Ganesha says today will be full of new possibilities and positive energy for you. You will feel a rise in your confidence, which will keep you open to new opportunities. This is the right time to make an important decision. Your spirituality and intuition will be strong, which will enable you to understand and face difficulties. Spending time with friends and family will awaken a sense of happiness and satisfaction in your mind. Relationships with colleagues at work can take a new direction. Cooperation and communication will help solve problems. If you face an obstacle or challenge, remember that you can overcome it. In terms of health, you may need to make a little improvement in your routine. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will give you freshness and energy. Strengthening social relationships and contacting new people will also be beneficial today. This is the time for self-growth and positive change for you, so recognize the energy within you and use it properly.

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Scorpio

Ganesha says today will be full of enthusiasm and energy. You will move towards achieving your goals, and your hard work will pay off. Social life will also be active; you will get a good chance to spend time with friends and family. In terms of health, take a little caution. Focusing on meditation and exercise will help reduce mental stress. This is also a good time to take up a new hobby, which can unleash your creativity. Take wise steps in terms of money. Make informed decisions while investing. For potential financial gains, take a look at past projects again. Your career is showing good signs of progress. Your ideas may be appreciated at the workplace, which will increase your confidence. Still, some issues may require restraint. Overall, today will prove to be positive and auspicious for you. Spend it with pride with your loved ones.

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Libra

Ganesha says today will be a very auspicious and positive day. You will get a chance to clarify your thoughts, which will bring stability to your personal and professional relationships. Your communication skills will increase, and this will open the doors of new possibilities for you. Your creativity and aesthetic sense will be especially strong today. If you are associated with any art or design, your work will be appreciated. This is the right time to express your feelings. If you are confused about a decision, trust your intuition; it will show you the right path. In terms of health, small changes can make your life better. Focus on regular exercise and a balanced diet. In love and relationships, a new understanding will develop, which will strengthen the mutual bond even more. Overall, this day is a sign of positive changes and new beginnings for you. Stay focused on your goals and recognize your inner strengths.

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Virgo

Ganesha says today is a suitable day to highlight your cognitive abilities and business skills. Today, you will be full of clarity and precision in your actions, which will increase your value among your colleagues and superiors. There is a possibility of bringing some changes to your routine, which will bring positive results for you. This is a good time to improve relations with family members. Try to resolve any old disputes, and keep communication open. In terms of health, meditation and yoga will bring mental peace. Also, take some time out of your routine for exercise. From a financial point of view, this is the right time to make a good plan for the right investment. Take a good look at the options available to you and make a wise decision. Overall, today will prove to be a day of new possibilities and positive changes for you. Be full of confidence and stay focused on your goals.

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Leo

Ganesha says today will be a day full of energy and inspiration. Your confidence will increase and your thoughts will come out with clarity. On this day, you will be able to see some new possibilities in your career, which will bring you hard work. Mutual understanding and harmony will increase your relationship, which will create a happy atmosphere among the family. This is a great time to express your thoughts clearly, so do not hesitate to communicate with your partner or friends. It is important to be health conscious, a little exercise and meditation will maintain your mental and physical health. Overall, this day will bring activity and positivity for you, so make the most of all the opportunities!

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Cancer

Ganesha says it will be a day of information and communication for you. Your mind will be full of ideas and you will be able to express your ideas well. There is a possibility of some new opportunities in professional life, which can prove beneficial for you. It is a good time to strengthen relationships with your colleagues, so work together at the workplace. Your emotional state will also be strong. Time spent with family will give you satisfaction. If you have any old problem going on, then the right time is coming to solve it. However, you need to keep your emotions under control, so that you do not get agitated over small things. In terms of health, try to practice yoga and meditation. It will empower you both mentally and physically. Take informed decisions in financial matters; do not rush into any investments. In summary, this day will be all about communication and cooperation, which will lead to positive changes for you.

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Gemini

Ganesha says there will be a new energy and freshness in your thoughts, which will make your personality even more attractive. Social contacts are likely to increase, which will expand your network. You will be inspired to spend blissful time with your friends and family. Some positive changes can also be seen in the business sector. The results of your hard work will gradually start coming, and this will motivate you to move forward. Keep in mind that while sharing your ideology, work with empathy, this will strengthen your relationship with colleagues. It is important to be health conscious. A little attention and relaxation will give you mental freshness. Practicing yoga or meditation will be beneficial for you. This day will be full of positivity and new possibilities for you. Express your mind openly and do not hesitate to adopt new ideas.

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Taurus

Ganesha says it will prove to be a positive day for you, Taurus. You will feel energetic and full of confidence. The time has come to reap the fruits of your hard work and efforts. The workload may stress you for a while, but you will face all the challenges recognizing your strengths. Sweetness will also remain in your relationships. Spending time with your family and friends will be a source of joy for you. Conversation with someone special can give you a new vision and promote mutual understanding. A special occasion may be organized among friends or family, which will bring happiness and harmony to you. Moments spent with loved ones will give you mental peace. It is important to be health conscious. A little exercise or yoga will give peace to your mind and energy to your body. Your day will be full of happiness and positivity, just keep your thoughts and emotions balanced.

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19-02-2025