Overview
- Shariq, 27, was sentenced by a special NIA court in Bengaluru on Monday to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment after a guilty plea, with fines imposed under multiple counts.
- The court convicted him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Indian Penal Code including attempt to murder, and the Explosive Substances Act, and ordered concurrent terms with time already served set off.
- Investigators say a pressure‑cooker IED detonated prematurely in an autorickshaw in Mangaluru on November 19, 2022, injuring Shariq and driver Purushottam Poojary, and that the device was intended for the Kadri Manjunath Temple.
- Autorickshaw driver Poojary welcomed the conviction but urged a tougher penalty, saying a life term would better reflect the harm and deter repeat offenses.
- Co‑accused Syed Yasin has pleaded not guilty and remains on trial as the NIA pursues wider probes into a Shivamogga module it says was inspired by Islamic State, tested IEDs, and moved funds using cryptocurrency.