Mariyam is one of the 21 people reported missing from Kerala. Mariyam is one of the 21 people reported missing from Kerala.

IN A joint operation by the Kerala Police and Maharashtra ATS, an alleged Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) member accused of radicalising a Palakkad-based woman was arrested from Navi Mumbai on Wednesday night.

According to sources, the man, identified as Arshi Qureshi, was picked up from his Navi Mumbai residence and placed under arrest. Qureshi was produced before a special court in Sewri that granted transit remand to the Kerala Police.

Sources said Qureshi has been named as an accused in an Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) case registered by the Kerala Police last week. The UAPA case follows a missing person’s complaint registered by the family of Merin alias Mariyam at the Palarivattom police station in Kerala. In the complaint, the family has alleged that Mariyam, a Christian who converted to Islam, was radicalised by her husband Yahiya and Qureshi and forced to join the Islamic State.

“In a joint operation undertaken by Maharashtra ATS and Kerala Police, a raid was conducted in Navi Mumbai area in connection with an UAPA case registered with the Kochi police station. One accused… was arrested… Kerala Police will take further action in the case,” said DCP, ATS, Dhananjay Kulkarni.

Qureshi was arrested on Wednesday night and produced before a special court in Sewri in Central Mumbai for transit remand. The court granted the same,” confirmed a senior official.

Mariyam is one of the 21 people reported missing from Kerala. The police suspect that they have pledged their allegiance to the IS.

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Sources said Mariyam, a BPO employee who moved to Navi Mumbai last year, married Yahiya in Mumbai. She was then reportedly radicalised by the two men.

The missing person’s complaint was converted into a UAPA case, after Ebin Jacob, Mariyam’s brother, alleged that Qureshi also tried to radicalise him and make him join the IS. Jacob also claimed that Yahiya and Qureshi took him to Mumbai to meet Zakir Naik.

Naik was recently embroiled in a controversy after media reports suggested that his speeches influenced two terrorists in the recent Dhaka attacks. Following the report, the Maharashtra government ordered an inquiry into his speeches.

When contacted, an IRF spokesperson confirmed that Qureshi was with the organisation, but denied allegations of radicalisation. “He doesn’t remember introducing them to Dr (Zakir) Naik or even meeting them at the IRF office. If any assistance is sought, IRF will provide it,” said the spokesperson.

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