The investigation into the alleged ricin poison terror plot was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a senior Gujarat ATS official reportedly confirmed on Saturday.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) had arrested Dr Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, Azad Suleman Sheikh, and Mohammad Suhail Mohammad Saleem on 9 November last year for their alleged role in a plan to carry out a major terrorist attack using hazardous chemicals alongside other weapons.
Ricin is extremely toxic and is often cited as being more poisonous by weight than cyanide. If inhaled, injected, or ingested in purified form, it can cause death.
"The arrested individuals were also in contact with foreign operatives and were communicating with one Abu Khadija through Telegram. Dr Saiyed was responsible for collecting funds and planning the attack. Investigation is ongoing into the source and movement of the funds," the Sandesh report read.
The agency had booked the three under the stringent UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act), besides invoking the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.
The MHA has ordered the transfer of the UAPA case concerning the ricin chemical plot to the NIA, Superintendent of Police (ATS) K. Siddharth told PTI.
The Gujarat ATS, which was probing the case, arrested Dr Saiyed, originally from Hyderabad, near Adalaj in Gandhinagar on 7 November with two Glock pistols, a Beretta pistol, 30 live cartridges, and four litres of castor oil, officials had earlier said.
The other accused, Sheikh and Saleem, both hailing from Uttar Pradesh, were arrested in the Banaskantha district for allegedly supplying weapons to Dr Saiyed.
The officials had then confirmed that Saiyed's handler, Abu Khadija, was from Afghanistan and associated with the ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan Province), and he had also been in contact with several individuals from Pakistan.
According to officials, Dr Saiyed, who earned his MBBS degree in China, had been preparing ricin to execute a major terrorist attack. He had already begun the necessary research, procured the equipment and raw materials, and initiated the initial chemical processing.
Abdul Qadir Jilani was attacked inside Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail by three fellow inmates in mid-November.
