Man who cleaned IS toilets will not be tried for joining terror group

Areeb Majeed, who joined the Islamic State to wage jihad, but was instead cleaning toilets there, will not be charged on the grounds that that the group was not yet declared a terror group by India

Islamic State recruit Areeb Majeed, who cleaned toilets and returned to India dejected will be tried under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. He will however not be charged for joining the IS. A special court dropped charges filed against him under Section 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. This means he will not be charged for being a member of the terrorist organisation.

The court, in its explanation, while dropping Section 20 said that at the time of his joining the outfit, the IS was not declared a terrorist outfit. The judge noted that Majeed had joined the IS before February 2015 and at this time the outfit was not yet declared a terrorist organisation by India.

The court however noted that he can be charged under Section 16 and 18 of the UAPA. Under these sections he will be charged for criminal conspiracy and punishment for a terrorist act. He will also be charged under Section 125 of the Indian Penal Code which deals with waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with the government of India.

Majeed's counsel however questioned this and said if he cannot be charged for being part of a terrorist organisation, then the question of being tried for the above mentioned offenses cannot stand. The counsel also pointed out that Majeed's return to India was arranged by high ranking officials. Hence the allegation that he had come into India to carry out an attack cannot stand.

OneIndia News