Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam on Monday levelled serious allegations regarding an alleged international conspiracy in the Nashik religious conversion case, while simultaneously demanding urgent government accountability following the ongoing crisis surrounding the NEET examination paper leaks.
Addressing the media regarding the ongoing investigation into the Nashik conversion case, Nirupam asserted that the SIT probe has made significant headway, with nine individuals currently in custody and no bail granted to any of the accused.
He highlighted the arrest of the prime accused, Nida Khan, and her entire family, who he noted were apprehended at the residence of a local ‘MIM’ (AIMIM) corporator.
“The SIT investigation is actively underway; no one has been granted bail so far, and nine individuals have been taken into custody. The statement regarding ‘MIM’ (AIMIM) is highly significant. The prime accused, Nida Khan, herself admitted to teaching Islamic prayers (Namaz) to them. It is evident that ‘MIM’ and TCS are fully implicated in this conspiracy,” Nirupam said.
Nirupam claimed that Nida Khan’s admission regarding the forced instruction of Namaz confirms that “MIM and TCS are fully implicated in the conspiracy.”
He went on to allege a deeper, multinational network behind the operations. Nirupam further alleged that Nida Khan and another associate, Danish, were likely beneficiaries of foreign funding.
“The Malaysia connection needs to be thoroughly exposed; a Pakistan link is also highly probable in this case. Nida Khan likely receives funds from an international network, as does another accused, Danish. The investigation report revealing the names of the funders and the chief instigators must be made public by the authorities,” the Shiv Sena leader demanded.
He explicitly linked the case to the influence of radical elements, naming controversial cleric Zakir Naik.
“Zakir Naik is India’s most notorious cleric who spews venom against Hindu deities, and he is believed to be currently residing in Malaysia. Are Zakir Naik, Nida Khan, and Danish all colluding together? The Malaysia connection is evident, and there could also be operational links to Pakistan or the ISI,” Nirupam raised questions about a potential nexus between Naik, the accused, and international intelligence agencies like the ISI.
He demanded that the SIT’s full investigation report, detailing the financiers and masterminds, be made public.
Notably, during his recent two-day official visit to Malaysia in February this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored India’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism, advocating for a global approach devoid of “double standards.”
While the visit focused on strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations, the persistent issue of the extradition of fugitive preacher Zakir Naik remained a significant topic of diplomatic discussion.
The status of controversial preacher Zakir Naik–wanted by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) on charges related to money laundering and inciting communal disharmony through inflammatory speeches–remained a sensitive but active point of bilateral dialogue.
The case against Naik, whose NGO, the Islamic Research Foundation, was declared unlawful by India in 2016, centers on allegations of laundering over ₹18 crore and spreading hate speech. His channel, PeaceTV, remains banned in India and several other nations due to the content’s controversial nature.
Reflecting on the dramatic arrest of the main accused, Nirupam pointed out the political shelter allegedly provided to her. “The police had been searching for the prime accused, Nida Khan, across Mumbra, Nashik, and Pune. She was eventually apprehended along with her entire family from the residence of a ‘MIM’ corporator,” he stated.
Apart from the conversion controversy, Sanjay Nirupam also expressed deep concern over the irregularities surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), highlighting the severe mental toll it has taken on medical aspirants across the country.
“Preventing NEET paper leaks is of far greater importance right now; seventeen students have tragically committed suicide so far due to the distress caused by these irregularities. A concrete guarantee is strictly required from the central government, ensuring that the question paper will not be leaked ever again,” Nirupam emphasised.
On May 23, in a major development in the Nashik TCS case, police filed a 1500-page chargesheet in one of the FIRs registered in connection with allegations of molestation, sexual harassment, and attempted religious conversion. The case has triggered nine FIRs and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
Earlier, on May 11, the accused Nida Khan was sent to 14 days of judicial custody in the Nashik Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) case after being produced before the Nashik Road Court, following which she was taken to Nashik Road Central Jail.
