Cops seek custody of IS sympathisers

The three accused, Mohammed Hussain, Shahjahan and Sheik Shafiullah, were arrested on June 15 after they were found to have links with banned organisations, sources said. Following a search at their residences on June 13, the police seized pen drives, mobile phones and incriminating documents confirming their illegal activities.

The accused propagated the ideology of ISIS and shared hate speeches of Zahran Hashim, the mastermind behind the Easter day blasts in Sri Lanka. Inquiries by police also revealed that the trio had planned to carry out attacks at religious institutions in Coimbatore.

The three accused were booked under various Sections of UAPA and were remanded in judicial custody till June 28.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the Coimbatore city police submitted a petition to principal district judge R Shaktivel seeking eight-day custody of the accused for further interrogation.

The petition by police is likely to be taken up for hearing on Wednesday.