Four Pakistani nationals, who had been residing on the outskirts of Bengaluru using false identities, were arrested on Sunday. The suspects—Rashid Ali Siddiqui (48), his wife Ayesha (38), and her parents Hanif Mohammed (73) and Rubina (61)—had been living in Rajapura village under the aliases Shankar Sharma, Asha Rani, Ram Babu Sharma, and Rani Sharma.
Their arrest followed intelligence inputs after two other Pakistanis were apprehended at Chennai International Airport for carrying fake passports upon their arrival from Dhaka. An investigation revealed their connection to Siddiqui.
A police team arrived to apprehend the Siddiqui family just as they were preparing to leave their residence. When questioned, Siddiqui, identifying himself as Sharma, claimed he had lived in Bengaluru since 2018 and presented Indian passports and Aadhaar cards bearing Hindu names. However, police discovered the words “MEHDI FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL JASHAN-E-YOUNUS” inscribed on a wall, along with photographs of Islamic clerics inside their home.
Upon further questioning, Siddiqui, a native of Liaquatabad, Karachi, admitted their origins and explained that he married Ayesha online in 2011 when she was in Bangladesh with her parents. He stated that he had fled Pakistan due to persecution from religious leaders and moved to Bangladesh, where he worked as a preacher with support from the Mehdi Foundation.
In 2014, facing renewed threats in Bangladesh, Siddiqui contacted a man named Parvez from the Mehdi Foundation in India and subsequently entered India illegally. He, along with his wife and in-laws, crossed into India from Bangladesh via Malda, West Bengal, using the assistance of agents.
According to police reports, the family initially resided in Delhi, where they acquired duplicate Aadhaar cards, passports, and driving licenses under the ‘Sharma’ identity. Siddiqui conducted preaching activities for the Mehdi Foundation in Delhi.
In 2018, after meeting Bengaluru residents Wasim and Altaf during a trip to Nepal, Siddiqui moved to Bengaluru at their invitation to preach in the city. Altaf handled their accommodation expenses while the Mehdi Foundation compensated Siddiqui for his broadcasts on Alra TV, where he preached Islam. Additionally, his in-laws opened bank accounts in Bengaluru, and Siddiqui also engaged in oil supply and food sales.
A case has been filed against them under sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for cheating), and 471 (using a forged document as genuine) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as violations of the Passport Act.
ABOUT MEHDI FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL
Mehdi Foundation International promotes the teachings of Younus AlGohar, regarded as a spiritual leader and advocate for Sufism. The organization focuses on religious harmony, peace, and de-radicalizing Muslim youth by promoting Sufism. However, its members have faced persecution in several Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan. Alra TV serves as a platform for promoting Sufi teachings.
Amjad Gohar, president of Mehdi Foundation International and currently in the UK seeking asylum, stated that the organization does not endorse illegal activities. He urged the Indian government not to deport the arrested individuals back to Pakistan, citing fears for their safety. Gohar explained that the teachings of religious harmony are increasingly unwelcome in Pakistan, leading to severe repercussions for those advocating such beliefs.
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