NIA chargesheets Hyderabad doctor in ISIS ricin terror case
HYDERABAD: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted a Hyderabad-based doctor for allegedly turning his house into a secret laboratory to prepare ricin from castor seeds as part of an ISIS-linked bioterror conspiracy.
The chargesheet, filed before a special court in Ahmedabad, names Dr Syed Ahmed Mohiuddin alias Azad from Hyderabad and Mohammad Suhel from Uttar Pradesh. The agency booked them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Arms Act.
Alleged Bioterror Conspiracy
According to investigators, the accused acted under instructions from foreign-based ISIS handlers. They allegedly planned to spread terror using illegal weapons and ricin, a highly toxic biological substance.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) first registered the case after arresting Mohiuddin at a toll plaza in November 2025. Officials claimed they recovered illegal weapons, a bottle containing four litres of castor oil, and other incriminating materials from his vehicle.
The NIA later took over the case and re-registered it on January 1, 2026.
Investigators said Mohiuddin earned an MBBS degree from China. They alleged that ISIS handlers promised him the position of “Amir” or commander for South Asia to draw him into the conspiracy.
The agency further alleged that Mohiuddin converted his Hyderabad residence into a secret lab to prepare ricin, a toxin naturally found in castor seeds and listed under Schedule I of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Recruitment and Weapons Network
According to the NIA, the terror module also tried to recruit vulnerable youth who had been radicalised online. Investigators alleged that the group planned attacks on public places using weapons and bioterror methods.
The chargesheet stated that Gujarat ATS arrested Azad and Suhel on the same day as Mohiuddin’s arrest. Investigators alleged that the two Uttar Pradesh-based accused collected parcels containing money and prohibited weapons from a dead-drop location in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan.
Officials claimed the accused later deposited the parcels at Chhatral in Gujarat for Mohiuddin to collect.
The NIA alleged that the accused stayed in contact with foreign handlers and used terror funds to support the conspiracy.
Investigators also accused Mohammad Suhel of acting as a key link between the handlers and other accused. They alleged that he coordinated recruitment, fund transfers, and weapon deliveries.
The agency said it is continuing the investigation to identify foreign-based handlers and others allegedly involved in the conspiracy.
