Hyderabad: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against a Hyderabad-based doctor who allegedly converted his residence into a clandestine laboratory to prepare ricin from castor seeds as part of an ISIS-linked bioterror conspiracy to poison people in public places.According to the NIA chargesheet filed before a special court in Ahmedabad, apart from Dr Syed Ahmed Mohiuddin of Hyderabad, also named Azad, and Mohammad Suhel, both from Uttar Pradesh, under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Arms Act. The case relates to an alleged module that, investigators said, was guided by foreign-based ISIS handlers and planned to use illegal weapons and the biological toxin ricin to spread terror.The case was first registered by Gujarat ATS after Mohiuddin, who obtained an MBBS degree from China, was arrested at a toll plaza in Nov 2025. According to the NIA chargesheet, he was allegedly caught with illegal weapons, a bottle containing four litres of castor oil and other incriminating articles in his car. The NIA re-registered the case on Jan 1, 2026.Hyderabad house under scannerAccording to the NIA chargesheet, Dr Mohiuddin was drawn into the conspiracy by his handler on the promise that he would be made an ISIS ‘Amir’ (commander) of South Asia. Investigators said he had transformed his Hyderabad residence into a secret laboratory to prepare ricin, a biological toxin occurring naturally in castor seeds and listed in Schedule I of the Chemical Weapons Convention.NIA said the accused were allegedly working under the guidance of their respective ISIS-linked foreign-based handlers. The module, according to investigators, was aimed at recruiting vulnerable youth radicalised by handlers and using illegal weapons and bioterror methods to target public spaces.Arms, funds and dead-drop trailThe NIA chargesheet said Gujarat ATS investigation led to the arrest of Azad and Suhel on the same day as Mohiuddin’s arrest. According to investigators, Azad and Suhel had earlier picked up parcels of money and illegal prohibited weapons from a dead-drop site in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, and dropped them at a location in Chhatral, Gujarat, for Mohiuddin to collect.NIA alleged that the two Uttar Pradesh-based accused knowingly participated in the conspiracy by maintaining contact with handlers, receiving and using proceeds of terror, conducting reconnaissance, taking oath of allegiance and collecting illegal arms and ammunition.According to the NIA chargesheet, Mohammad Suhel acted as a crucial link between the handler and other accused for recruitment, coordination, funds and weapons consignments. Investigators alleged that he received and distributed funds, conducted reconnaissance, handled and transported illegal weapons, recorded Bay’ah, or oath of allegiance, and prepared ISIS flags.The agency said investigation is continuing to track the foreign-based handlers and others allegedly involved in the conspiracy.
