The strings of the conspiracy to attack Zakir Hussain, then Minister of State for Labor of West Bengal, are also related to Jharkhand. The NIA on Tuesday filed a chargesheet against Abu Samad and Shaheedul Islam for the attack on the former minister. On March 25, the NIA raided several places including Mazgaon in Chaibasa on the behest of Shaheedul.NIA investigation has revealed that both the accused had hatched a criminal conspiracy to kill Zakir Hussain. This conspiracy was hatched to spread terror in the minds of Zakir’s supporters and to influence the Bengal assembly elections. Shaheedul Islam had procured materials for making IEDs from local shops and had several meetings with Abu Samad for the final selection of the site to execute the conspiracy.
Both the accused had unsuccessfully tried to destroy the phone used by them to mislead the investigating agency.On March 25, the NIA had raided three locations in West Bengal and Jharkhand. The NIA team had raided Manjhgaon in Chaibasa district on the behest of Shaheedul Islam. It is worth noting that the NIA had started the investigation by registering the case number RC 05/2021. Abu Samad and Shaheedul Islam alias Chemical Shaheedul were arrested in this case.On 17 February, the then Minister of State for Labor was attacked with bombs at Nimatita railway station while he was on his way to catch a train to Kolkata. The attackers fled taking advantage of the darkness after throwing the bomb. The minister was seriously injured in the attack. He was earlier admitted to Jangipur Sub Divisional Hospital. On March 2, the Union Home Ministry handed over the investigation of the case to the NIA.
(Agencies)
