KOCHI: Soon the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will file its first charge sheet against suspected members of the Islamic State’s south Indian module busted from Kanakamala in Kannur, Kerala. In two week’s time charge sheet would be filed before the agency’s court and the documentation work had already started, officers said. The move is to prevent statutory bail to the accused who will be completing 180 days in judicial custody in the first week of April. An officer said, “According to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, investigation against the accused need to over within 180 days”. “The accused will be eligible for statutory bail if a charge sheet is not filed before. The first charge sheet will be filed to prevent this.” The agency will request the court for permission to carry out further investigation. The officer said, “As the case is serious in nature involving IS sympathisers, further probe will be required”. The NIA raided Kanakamala and arrested six IS suspects after a tip-off in October. The suspects had been planning attacks in various parts of south India. In total there are 14 accused at present, including Subahani Haja Moideen of Thodupuzha who fought for the IS at Mosul in Iraq, the officer said. ]]>
