The National Investigation Agency, NIA, has told a New Delhi court that Riyaz Bhatkal, co-founder of Indian Mujahideen, IM, not only used to send funds for terror acts across the country, but also regularly provided money to families of the jailed and absconding operatives of the banned outfit.

The NIA claimed that Pakistan-based Riyaz Bhatkal had earlier asked arrested IM India chief Yasin Bhatkal to establish contacts with Maoists in Nepal for supply of arms for terror activities in India. Out of the 20 accused named by the NIA in its chargesheet, 17 have not been arrested yet, while three other suspected IM men, Tehsin Akhtar, Haidar Ali and Zia-ur-Rehman are in judicial custody in connection with the case.