THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has uncovered a disturbing development in the Malayali IS terror case, revealing that the terrorists in custody deliberately destroyed crucial digital evidence. The terrorists under the custody of NIA have admitted to burning all electronic devices previously used in their terrorism activities.
Members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) involved in the case have testified that individuals in hiding had issued covert orders to eliminate all digital evidence as a preventive measure, citing it as a form of “destruction of documents for prevention.” The NIA has reported that this action falls under Section 204 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Following the ban imposed on the PFI, the leaders of the terrorist group instructed their associates to destroy all electronic gadgets. It has also been confirmed that these leaders explicitly directed the destruction of evidence to prevent investigative teams from recovering any potentially incriminating information.
Mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and smartwatches were systematically smashed and burnt by the terrorists. These digital devices were instrumental in facilitating religious terrorist propaganda and communication among terrorist cells.
According to reports, when individuals with suspected terrorist connections were summoned for questioning, it was discovered that they were all using new mobile phones. Moreover, these new devices contained no data from previous periods. Subsequent investigations have revealed that the terrorists received instructions to destroy all their digital gadgets as a precautionary measure against the NIA’s efforts to gather evidence.
In light of these revelations, the NIA has announced its plans to intensify the investigation. The investigation team will continue to analyse the previously seized digital gadgets for any remaining traces of evidence.
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