Hyderabad Police Investigate Accused in Terror Module Involving Single Mother
Background and Arrest
A 38-year-old single mother from Hyderabad, identified as Sayeeda Begum, has been arrested as part of an investigation into an interstate terror module. The police assert that she played a significant role in radicalizing and recruiting individuals via online groups. Sayeeda was taken into custody on March 23 during a police operation led by the Vijayawada police.
The police filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Vijayawada II Town police station. According to the FIR, Sayeeda was an active participant in online platforms promoting controversial preachers such as Israr Ahmed and Zakir Naik, as well as disseminating content linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent (AQIS). Despite the charges, Sayeeda has denied the allegations, with her lawyer claiming that she was added to these groups without her knowledge.
Details of the Investigation
Authorities allege that Sayeeda recruited individuals for the terror module, including a 16-year-old resident of Bihar, urging them to travel to terror camps in Pakistan for arms training. Alongside Sayeeda, the police have arrested eleven additional suspects in connection with the investigation, most of whom are in their twenties and hail from various regions including Vijayawada, Patna, New Delhi, Jodhpur, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Navi Mumbai.
The Andhra Pradesh Police’s Counter-Intelligence Cell noted that Sayeeda was a notable figure among those arrested. An officer involved in the investigation has claimed that she encouraged online group members to circulate extremist videos and literature and allegedly provided names and contacts of foreign handlers.
Living Conditions and Background
Sayeeda resided in a modest two-room rental apartment in the Chanchalguda area of Hyderabad’s Old City, living with her parents and young child. Neighbors described her as a quiet individual who worked as a domestic helper across multiple households to support her family. One neighbor stated that she often kept to herself and was frequently seen on her phone.
According to the remand report submitted at the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Vijayawada, Sayeeda is accused of having ties to extremist groups and adopting their ideology. The report claims she created numerous fake social media profiles intended to spread provocative content and encouraged other women to engage in discussions about jihad.
Personal Life and Social Media Influence
Sayeeda’s family originally hails from Sholapur, settling in Chanchalguda approximately 20 years ago. She is the second of four sisters and was formerly married to a painter. Following the birth of her son, she did not return to her husband and finalized her divorce four years ago. To support herself and her ailing parents, she began working as a domestic helper.
Relatives indicated that Sayeeda dropped out of school after fourth grade. Eventually, she became acquainted with Instagram and began creating video content, leading to a following of over 38,000. She created reels featuring cooking and local seamstresses, earning a financial commission when orders were generated from her posts. However, she reportedly faced harassment on social media, particularly after disclosing her status as a single mother.
Lawyer’s Statements and Ongoing Investigations
During her questioning by police, Sayeeda mentioned receiving a link several months prior on Instagram and WhatsApp that led her to a religious group promoting ISIS. Her attorney, Abdus Saleem, was present during her five days of questioning at the Central Crime Station in Vijayawada and stated that she denies creating the group and all associated allegations. She asserted that she was unwittingly added as a member and administrator of these groups.
On March 22, police conducted a raid following a tip-off regarding a suspect sharing propaganda promoting jihad, leading to the detention of a cab driver. The driver allegedly admitted to being radicalized via social media and cooperating with Sayeeda in the promotion of extremist ideologies. Police recovered jihadist literature and paraphernalia linked to banned organizations during the operation.
Authorities claim that this group monitored online activities of youth, attempting to radicalize vulnerable individuals and encouraging them to travel abroad for arms training. Those arrested in the case will remain in police custody until judicial proceedings continue on April 6, as police seek to identify additional members of the terror module.
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Contents
Background and ArrestA 38-year-old single mother from Hyderabad, identified as Sayeeda Begum, has been arrested as part of an investigation into an interstate terror module. The police assert that she played a significant role in radicalizing and recruiting individuals via online groups. Sayeeda was taken into custody on March 23 during a police operation led by the Vijayawada police.The police filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Vijayawada II Town police station. According to the FIR, Sayeeda was an active participant in online platforms promoting controversial preachers such as Israr Ahmed and Zakir Naik, as well as disseminating content linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent (AQIS). Despite the charges, Sayeeda has denied the allegations, with her lawyer claiming that she was added to these groups without her knowledge.Details of the InvestigationAuthorities allege that Sayeeda recruited individuals for the terror module, including a 16-year-old resident of Bihar, urging them to travel to terror camps in Pakistan for arms training. Alongside Sayeeda, the police have arrested eleven additional suspects in connection with the investigation, most of whom are in their twenties and hail from various regions including Vijayawada, Patna, New Delhi, Jodhpur, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Navi Mumbai.The Andhra Pradesh Police’s Counter-Intelligence Cell noted that Sayeeda was a notable figure among those arrested. An officer involved in the investigation has claimed that she encouraged online group members to circulate extremist videos and literature and allegedly provided names and contacts of foreign handlers.Living Conditions and BackgroundSayeeda resided in a modest two-room rental apartment in the Chanchalguda area of Hyderabad’s Old City, living with her parents and young child. Neighbors described her as a quiet individual who worked as a domestic helper across multiple households to support her family. One neighbor stated that she often kept to herself and was frequently seen on her phone.According to the remand report submitted at the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Vijayawada, Sayeeda is accused of having ties to extremist groups and adopting their ideology. The report claims she created numerous fake social media profiles intended to spread provocative content and encouraged other women to engage in discussions about jihad.Personal Life and Social Media InfluenceSayeeda’s family originally hails from Sholapur, settling in Chanchalguda approximately 20 years ago. She is the second of four sisters and was formerly married to a painter. Following the birth of her son, she did not return to her husband and finalized her divorce four years ago. To support herself and her ailing parents, she began working as a domestic helper.Relatives indicated that Sayeeda dropped out of school after fourth grade. Eventually, she became acquainted with Instagram and began creating video content, leading to a following of over 38,000. She created reels featuring cooking and local seamstresses, earning a financial commission when orders were generated from her posts. However, she reportedly faced harassment on social media, particularly after disclosing her status as a single mother.Lawyer’s Statements and Ongoing InvestigationsDuring her questioning by police, Sayeeda mentioned receiving a link several months prior on Instagram and WhatsApp that led her to a religious group promoting ISIS. Her attorney, Abdus Saleem, was present during her five days of questioning at the Central Crime Station in Vijayawada and stated that she denies creating the group and all associated allegations. She asserted that she was unwittingly added as a member and administrator of these groups.On March 22, police conducted a raid following a tip-off regarding a suspect sharing propaganda promoting jihad, leading to the detention of a cab driver. The driver allegedly admitted to being radicalized via social media and cooperating with Sayeeda in the promotion of extremist ideologies. Police recovered jihadist literature and paraphernalia linked to banned organizations during the operation.Authorities claim that this group monitored online activities of youth, attempting to radicalize vulnerable individuals and encouraging them to travel abroad for arms training. Those arrested in the case will remain in police custody until judicial proceedings continue on April 6, as police seek to identify additional members of the terror module.
