M. Riyaz Hashmi
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out searches at 16 locations across Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Mumbai in connection with its money laundering investigation into the 2022 Coimbatore car bomb blast case. The searches are part of the probe into the alleged financing of terrorist activities and laundering of proceeds of crime.
According to the ED, the investigation has unearthed evidence indicating that the accused allegedly raised funds for terror activities by operating a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate racket during the pandemic and by collecting donations and fraudulent investments in the name of an educational institution.
The ED initiated its probe on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The agency is currently tracing the financial network, sources of funds and their utilisation.
On October 23, 2022, a car exploded outside the historic Sangameshwarar Temple in Coimbatore, killing 29-year-old Jamesha Mubeen, who was driving the vehicle. The initial investigation led to the recovery of LPG cylinders, explosive substances, chemicals and iron nails from the car, following which the case was handed over to the NIA.
The NIA concluded that the explosion was not accidental but an ISIS-inspired suicide terror attack. According to the agency, Jamesha Mubeen and his associates had allegedly modified a Maruti car by loading it with explosives with the intention of targeting the temple. Investigators believe the vehicle exploded before reaching its intended target, preventing a much larger tragedy.
The NIA has so far filed charge sheets against 17 accused in the case. Jamesha Mubeen died in the blast, while the remaining accused are facing trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other applicable provisions of law.
According to the ED, the investigation has identified two primary sources of alleged terror funding.
First, the accused allegedly collected money from people seeking fake COVID-19 vaccination certificates without actually receiving the vaccine. The agency alleges that the proceeds generated through this illegal racket were diverted to finance terrorist activities.
Second, funds were allegedly mobilised through donations and fraudulent investments in Kovai Arabic College. The ED claims that the institution served not only as a fundraising platform but also as a centre for the radicalisation of youth.
Alleged Radicalisation Network
The ED further alleges that 12 accused, including Jamesha Mubeen, attended online and offline sessions conducted through Kovai Arabic College. These sessions were allegedly led by the institution’s promoter, Jameel Basha, where participants were indoctrinated with Salafi-Jihadi ideology before conspiring to carry out the attack in support of ISIS.
The NIA has also referred to this network in its charge sheets, alleging that social media and other online platforms were used to radicalise and recruit vulnerable youth.
Why the ED Conducted Searches
The ED is examining how much money was generated through the fake vaccination certificate racket and donations, where the funds were routed, who received them, and whether hawala channels or other illegal financial mechanisms were used. The searches across Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Mumbai are aimed at uncovering this alleged financial network.
Political Fallout Likely
The Coimbatore blast has remained a politically sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has repeatedly accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government of being soft on extremist networks and has projected the incident as a law-and-order issue.
The DMK, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has rejected the allegations as politically motivated, maintaining that the Tamil Nadu Police acted immediately after the blast, handed the case over to the NIA, and extended full cooperation to central investigating agencies.
With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approaching, the ED’s latest action is expected to revive political debate over the case. However, no official reaction from the DMK, Congress or other major opposition parties had been issued till the filing of this report.
