KOCHI: In the first ever Islamic State (IS) related case registered in Kerala, the NIA Court in Kochi on Saturday awarded 7 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) to Yasmeen Mohammed Zahid , a Bihar native woman who attempted to migrate to IS-held territory in Afghanistan along with her son.

Apart from the RI, Yasmeen Mohammed Zahid (30) who hails from Muroul village in Sitamarhi district Bihar was also slapped with a fine of Rs 25,000.

The case relates to the activities of fourteen persons from Kasaragod district who along with their families had exited India between May and July 2016 and joined the IS.

As per the NIA probe, the principal accused Abdul Rashid Abdulla had recruited the other accused persons in this case including Yasmeen Mohammed Zahid, by conducting classes at Kasaragode and other places since Ramadan, 2015, in support of IS and its ideology of violent jihad.

Yasmeen Mohammed Zahid was intercepted at the Delhi airport on 30th July, 2016 while she was exiting India for Kabul with the intention of joining her husband and co-conspirator Abdul Rashid in IS-controlled territory in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

In the verdict, the court observed that there is overwhelming evidence to prove the association of Abdul Rashid and Yasmin Mohammed in this case.

“Considering the nature and circumstances of the case, the court doesn't find any reason to invoke Probation of Offenders Act. Though at the time of arrest the son of the accused was with her and now he is in the custody of his father. However, considering the fact that the accused is a lady aged about 30 years, a lenient view is taken,” the judgement observed.

Judge S Santhosh Kumar delivered the verdict. Yasmin was convicted under section 120 B of IPC and given RI for 3 years, and under section 125 (Waging war against any Asiatic Power in alliance with the Government of India) of IPC, and awarded RI for 7 years and Rs 25,000 fine. Rigorous imprisonment of 7 years each was granted to her under sections 38, 39, 40 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The sentences would run concurrently and the convict was transferred to Viyyoor.



In Video: Kerala IS recruitment case: 7 years jail term for Yasmin Zahid