Maha ATS probes 19-year-old Mumbra woman’s new passport; father’s alleged IM-SIMI links

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is investigating the new passport issued to a 19-year-old woman from Mumbra, after allegedly finding that she did not disclose details of an earlier passport while applying for the new document.

The investigation has gained further significance after agencies found that her father, Tariq Khan, has allegedly been linked to cases involving the Indian Mujahideen (IM) and the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

Following a preliminary investigation by the ATS, Mumbra police have registered an FIR against Nameerah Tariq Khan under Section 12(1)(b) of the Passport Act and Sections 318(2), 212 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Investigating agencies are examining Nameerah's old and new passports, her foreign travel records and her possible links with her father, who is allegedly absconding.

According to sources, the ATS received information that Nameerah had obtained a new passport by allegedly providing incomplete information. During the inquiry, officials reportedly found that she already had a passport issued from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Under passport regulations, details of an existing or previous passport are required to be disclosed while applying for a new passport. The ATS is investigating whether Nameerah intentionally withheld information about her earlier passport and is examining the circumstances under which the new document was obtained.

The agency is also scrutinising her foreign travel history as part of the probe.

During the investigation, agencies reportedly found that Nameerah's father, Tariq Khan, had been named in cases linked to SIMI and the Indian Mujahideen.

According to sources, three cases are registered against Tariq Khan. The first dates back to 2001, when he was allegedly accused of having links with SIMI.

In 2006, the Mumbai Crime Branch reportedly registered another case against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). In 2011, another case related to counterfeit currency was registered against him, with serious provisions of the UAPA also invoked, according to sources.

Investigating agencies have alleged that Tariq Khan was known for delivering aggressive speeches and that he was involved in radicalising and recruiting young people for groups such as SIMI and the Indian Mujahideen.

According to sources, he was allegedly considered close to Indian Mujahideen operatives Riyaz Bhatkal and Yasin Bhatkal. Agencies have also alleged that he sent several young people to training camps associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan.

The ATS is also probing an alleged training centre near the India-Nepal border that was reportedly linked to the Indian Mujahideen.

According to the agency, such a centre was allegedly active in 2006, and Tariq Khan is suspected of having sent young people there for training and of having played a role in its activities.

Investigating agencies have further alleged that in 2007, Tariq Khan sheltered several youths associated with the Indian Mujahideen in Pune's Kondhwa area. He was allegedly present there and provided the youths with training related to the use of mobile phones, according to sources.

Sources also said that Tariq Khan allegedly left India after 2011 and is suspected to be staying in a Gulf country. His alleged whereabouts are now also part of the investigation.

The ATS is examining Nameerah's earlier passport and her foreign travel records. According to sources, Nameerah held the Lucknow-issued passport when she was a minor and allegedly travelled to Gulf countries in 2014 and 2016 using the document.

Investigators suspect that she may have met her father during those trips. However, officials are yet to establish this, and the matter remains under investigation. Agencies are examining immigration records and other relevant information to determine the purpose and details of the travel.

The ATS is also looking into the activities and travel records of Nameerah's mother, Shabana. Sources said she had renewed her passport some time ago and subsequently moved away after the investigation into Nameerah's new passport intensified.

The agency is examining possible links between Nameerah, her mother and Tariq Khan, while also trying to determine why information about the old passport was allegedly withheld and whether her foreign travels have any connection with her father.

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