Two men behind bars since 2016 for allegedly joining the Islamic State (IS) filed a formal plea to plead guilty, claiming they were influenced by propaganda videos widely circulated at the time, They realized their mistake and are repenting.
Moshin Sayyed (32) and Rizwan Ahmed (25) filed an application before the special court saying they have reflected on their actions in jail.
Special Judge AT Wankhede will decide next week whether to accept their petitions or not. If allowed, the court will pronounce its verdict on his sentence.
On Tuesday, counsel AR Bukhari, appearing for both, sought leniency saying that this is not a case where they have actively participated in any terror activities resulting in loss of life and property. The lawyer also said that he has voluntarily shown a willingness to admit his guilt.
“Six years ago, I was influenced by IS propaganda videos that were widely circulated on the Internet at the time. Because of this I tried to run away from home and joined IS. I failed in that and later the police arrested me and since then I am in jail. While in prison, contemplating my actions, I have realized my mistake and I sincerely regret my mistake. I am sorry and sorry for my omissions and unlawful acts,” the plea of both said.
It said that they have suffered a lot because of their mistake and they want to rectify it and start a new life and become a better person. Sayyed’s petition states that he has two minor children, elderly parents and is the sole breadwinner of his family, Ahmed’s plea states that he has to take care of his elderly, ailing parents, who are suffering because of his mistake. Ahmed’s plea stated that he was juvenile and immature at that time and did not understand the gravity of the crime.
The petition further stated that his conduct in jail was ‘satisfactory’. “I voluntarily plead guilty without any coercion, threat, coercion, inducement or undue influence and I understand the consequences,” the petition said.
Special Public Prosecutor Prakash Shetty, representing the National Investigation Agency (NIA), said the agency had no objection to holding him guilty.
Shetty’s reply to the petition filed by both said that he had expressed his willingness and was represented by an advocate of his choice.
Advocate Bukhari, referring to the previous orders of other courts, said that as per the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court can admit such a petition in the middle of the hearing.
The court has so far examined more than 35 witnesses and the names of more than 250 witnesses are included in the chargesheet. In 2015, four people were reported missing from Malwani area for joining IS. While the two had returned after developing cold feet and had turned witnesses in the case, Sayyed was later arrested. The fourth person, Ayaz Sultan, has been made an absconding accused in the case. Ahmed, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was arrested in 2016. Sayyed and Ahmed were charged with several charges, including influencing youth to join IS. They have been charged under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Case is going on in Delhi also against Sayyed. Ahmed argued that he had no criminal history.
This is the first case in Maharashtra where the accused arrested in an IS case have tried to confess their crime.
,