Indian Muslim clerics acquitted of false terror charges after years

Maulana Mujahid, Maulana Abdul Rehman, and Muhammad Sami are cleared of allegations linking them to a terror group

NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — After years of legal battles, an Indian court has acquitted three Muslim clerics—Maulana Kaleemuddin Mujahid, Maulana Abdul Rehman Ali Khan (Maulana Mansoor), and Muhammad Sami—of terrorism charges that accused them of ties to Al-Qaeda’s Indian subcontinent branch.

The Additional District Judge of Jamshedpur  in the state of Jharkhand, Vimlesh Kumar Sahai, ruled that there was no evidence to substantiate the allegations. 

The clerics, arrested in 2016 under India’s stringent anti-terror laws, were initially accused of involvement in radical activities, recruiting for Al-Qaeda, and supplying weapons. 

Despite being labeled as high-risk suspects at the time, the prosecution failed to provide substantial proof, leading to their acquittal.

The case stemmed from the arrest of Ahmed Masood Akram Sheikh in Jamshedpur, whose custodial confession allegedly implicated the clerics. 

However, the prosecution’s narrative unraveled in court as key testimonies and evidence could not establish any credible links. 

Defense lawyer Balaji Panda noted that 16 witnesses were presented, but none supported the charges.

Reacting to the verdict, Muhammad Tahir, brother of Maulana Abdul Rehman, expressed relief, stating, “The court’s decision has strengthened our faith in the judiciary.” 

However, for the clerics and their families, the ruling cannot undo the years of suffering caused by their prolonged detention.

This case highlights the challenges faced by India’s justice system in handling terror-related cases, where arrests are often made based on unverified intelligence and confessions. 

While the clerics’ acquittal is a victory for justice, their ordeal underscores the need for legal reforms to prevent wrongful detention of Muslims under the guise of national security.