A Special NIA Court has sought responses from the National Investigation Agency and the Bazar Peth Police after an accused in an ISIS-related case alleged that two persons posing as Army officers attempted to induce him with an offer to “wipe out” his trial in exchange for joining a covert operation.
Special Judge Chakor Baviskar, taking cognisance of the application moved by accused Areeb Majeed, termed the allegations a “serious incident involving suspected impersonation, attempted inducement, subsequent pressure, and interference with the fair administration of justice.” The court issued notices to the NIA and the Bazar Peth police station in Kalyan and posted the matter for further hearing on March 4.
Majeed, who was arrested in 2014 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and is currently facing trial, stated in his application that he does not seek any extrajudicial favour and wants his case to be decided strictly on legal merits.
According to the plea, the alleged incident occurred on February 21, 2026. Majeed claimed that while he was at college, his wife informed him that an unidentified man and woman had arrived at their residence in Kalyan and insisted on waiting inside for his return.
The woman allegedly told Majeed over the phone that she was from the Indian Army and was accompanied by a senior officer of Colonel rank from New Delhi. They purportedly sought his “help” in a covert operation and assured him that, in return, they would “wipe out the case pending against” him.
Suspecting that the approach was an attempt to prejudice his ongoing trial or entrap him, Majeed refused to allow them entry into his house. He then called the 112 emergency helpline and also alerted the NIA control room. The two individuals were subsequently taken to the Bazar Peth police station for questioning, the application stated.
Majeed was arrested in November 2014 after the NIA alleged that he had travelled to Syria to join the terrorist organisation ISIS and had returned to India with the intention of carrying out terror activities. He was charged under provisions of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code, including offences relating to waging war against the nation.
The Bombay High Court granted him bail in 2021, and the trial in the NIA case is presently underway.
While issuing notice on the application, the Special NIA Court directed both the investigating agency and the local police to file their replies to the allegations of impersonation and inducement. The court indicated that the matter concerns the integrity of the judicial process and requires a response from the authorities.
The case will be taken up next on March 4.
