IUML to provide legal help to terror-accused Kerala youth arrested in Mumbai

Haneef Moulavi, who had been arrested under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in Mumbai for allegedly helping Kerala youth to join the Islamic State (IS), will be helped by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) with legal aid. 

The Times of India reports that IUML MP and national spokesperson and ET Muhammad Basheer held discussions with lawyers in Mumbai on Friday and made arrangements to file a bail application. “Neither the Kerala Police nor the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered any case against Haneef. The arrest was made solely on the complaint of the father of a youngster who disappeared from Padne,” Basheer said. 

“We have arranged a lawyer who will appear for Haneef on November 22. I hope that things would turn in his favour,” he said. 

Haneef was arrested on August 13.

Haneef was a Khatib at a Salafi Masjid in Kasaragod. Some of the youngsters from Padane of Kasaragod were visiting the Salafi masjid even after they were banned from entering the mosque.

ToI reports that according to people in Padne, they were attracted to “Haneef 's soulful recitation of the Quran and impassioned speeches.”

It was also reported that Haneef was confined to the mosque alone and he had no links outside.

Shahul Hameed, younger brother of Haneef who is now in Mumbai told ToI that IUML had promised to help them, “We are staying here to meet Haneef in jail on Monday. Haneef 's wife is pregnant and she has not contacted him even since the arrest,” Shahul said.