Gorakhnath Temple Attack: NIA Court Hands Death Sentence To Accused Murtaza Abbasi

Ahmed Murtaza Abbasi, an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) graduate, was convicted by the court on Saturday.

A special NIA court on Monday handed death sentence to a man, Murtaza Abbasi, for attacking security personnel at the famous Gorakhnath temple in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur. Ahmed Murtaza Abbasi, an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) graduate, was convicted by the court on Saturday.

Murtaza was convicted by the court on charges of UAPA, waging war against the country and murderous attack.

On April 3 last year, Abbasi tried to forcibly enter the Gorakhnath temple premises and attacked the security personnel deployed there with a sickle, injuring two Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) constables. He was overpowered by the security personnel and subsequently, arrested. The investigation into the case was conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).

The incident caused an alarm in security circles as the temple premises also houses Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s residence as he is head priest of the temple.

The stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) was invoked against the accused after his arrest.

While addressing the media, Prashant Kumar, Additional director general of police (Law and Order), Uttar Pradesh Police, said Abbasi was in touch with the fighters and sympathisers of the terror outfit Islamic State.

Police said the accused intended to carry out a big operation after snatching weapons from the security personnel.

"He conducted a lone wolf fatal attack at the southern gate of Gorakhnath temple and attempted to snatch the rifle of security officials on duty. His intention was to conduct a big operation after snatching the weapon," ANI had quoted Kumar as saying.

During investigation, police said Abbasi sent around Rs 8.5 lakh to support ISIS terror activities via organisations related to ISIS supporters in different countries in Europe and America. "He sent various arms - AK47, M4 carbine and other missile technology, via internet," Kumar had said.

"He was arrested by Bengaluru Police in 2014 for being in connection with ISIS propaganda activist Mehdi Masroor Biswas. He was influenced by terror organisations, radical preachers and ISIS-terrorism promoters," the ADG had further said.

(With inputs from agencies)