The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted search operations at 16 locations across Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Mumbai in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the 2022 Coimbatore bomb blast.
The Chennai Zonal Office carried out the raids as part of its probe into the alleged terror funding network behind the attack. The investigation began after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered multiple FIRs related to the case.
Investigators said a suicide bomb explosion occurred near the Sangameshwarar Temple in Coimbatore in 2022.
Jamesha Mubeen carried out the attack with the support of others.
The accused allegedly used a modified Maruti car loaded with explosive materials. The ED said the attack was inspired by the banned terrorist organisation Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Investigators alleged that the accused financed their activities through two major channels.
They allegedly operated a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate racket during the pandemic.
The scheme generated money from people seeking fraudulent vaccination certificates without receiving the vaccine.
The probe also found that the accused collected funds through donations and fraudulent investments linked to Kovai Arabic College.
Investigators alleged that the institution played a role in radicalising young people. The ED further claimed that 12 accused, including Jamesha Mubeen, attended o nline or offline sessions conducted by the college.
The agency alleged that Jameel Basha, the promoter of Kovai Arabic College, mentored them and influenced them towards Salafi-Jihadi ideology.
According to the investigation, the accused later conspired to carry out the terror attack in support of ISIS.
The searches aim to uncover financial evidence and identify the complete money trail linked to the alleged terror funding network.