CHENNAI: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has seized mobile phones, laptops and incriminating documents related to financial transactions and immovable property investments during searches at 16 locations in Chennai, Coimbatore, Mumbai and Hyderabad in connection with its money laundering and terror financing probe into the 2022 Coimbatore car bomb blast case.The searches were carried out on Thursday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The probe stems from NIA cases relating to the suicide car bomb explosion near the Arulmigu Kottai Sangameshwarar Temple in Coimbatore on Oct 23, 2022, in which the suicide bomber, Jamesha Mubeen, who had pledged allegiance to ISIS, was killed.According to ED, its investigation found that the accused generated funds for terror activities through a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate racket operated between August 2021 and June 2022. The proceeds were allegedly used to procure materials for the bomb blast and finance the activities of Madras Arabic College, also known as Kovai Arabic College.The agency alleged that the college’s promoter, Jameel Basha, used the institution to propagate extremist ideology under the guise of Arabic education and raised funds through donations and investments from former students and others. The money was allegedly used to conduct radicalisation classes, besides meeting foreign travel, personal expenses and investments. Further investigation is underway.
