HM Conspiracy Case: NIA Court Awards Life Term to Key Accused

In a major crackdown on terror networks, a special NIA court in Guwahati has convicted Md. Kamruj Zaman, a key accused in a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terror conspiracy case, and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Zaman, also known as Dr Hurairah and Kamaruddin, was awarded life imprisonment under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with two additional sentences of five years’ simple imprisonment under other UAPA provisions. All sentences will run concurrently. The court also imposed fines in each case.

The case relates to a 2017–18 conspiracy to set up an HM terror module in Assam to carry out terrorist activities and spread fear. NIA investigations found that Zaman had recruited several individuals to expand the Pakistan-based outfit’s footprint in the Northeast.

He was arrested in 2018, and the NIA filed a chargesheet in 2019. While three co-accused were earlier convicted after pleading guilty, another accused died during the trial. Following the verdict, Zaman has been shifted to Guwahati Central Jail. Security agencies termed the judgment a significant blow to terror networks in the region.