TVM 16-yr-old ISIS recruitment case: Kerala police Anti-Terrorism Squad takes over probe

Thiruvananthapuram: The anti-terror squad of Kerala police has taken over the investigation into the case involving an alleged attempt to recruit a 16-year-old boy to ISIS. The Venjaramoodu police have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the boy’s mother and her partner based on a complaint filed by the boy.

According to the complaint, the woman, a native of Pathanamthitta, and her partner from Vembayam in Thiruvananthapuram allegedly tried to lure her elder son into joining ISIS by showing him religious propaganda videos. The woman had reportedly converted from Christianity to Islam before getting married to her first husband. They resided in the UK, when the woman got acquainted with another man, who became her partner later. 

Considering the sensitive nature of the case, the police remain tight-lipped about the case. Sources confirmed that investigation was initiated initially under the Attingal DySP and now ATS is looking into it. The woman and her partner are now under surveillance, they are not in custody, a police source said. The official added that the boy was exposed to radical materials. 

Reportedly, the couple had sent the boy back to Kerala citing behavioral issues. He was then taken to a madrassa in Attingal. It is also reported that a complaint was earlier filed against the boy for allegedly trying to harm his younger sibling. The police came to know about alleged attempts at radicalisation when he was questioned regarding the complaint. Police sources however did not confirm this information. 

Reports have also surfaced that the woman's partner is the brother of an accused in the ISIS Kanakamala recruitment case registered in 2019. It is also learnt that madrassa authorities informed the boy's biological father about changes in his behaviour and Venjaramoodu police registered a case after the father had approached the police.