Mumbai, June 25 (UNI) Saquib Nachan, a former office-bearer of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and a key accused in the ISIS Maharashtra terror module case, died in a hospital in Delhi today, sources in state Anti-Terrorism Squad confirmed.

The ATS is also probing terror-related cases against him.

He was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in Delhi on Monday following a brain stroke.

The Tihar Jail authorities have informed his family about his death.

Nachan was arrested in 2023 for his alleged role as an "Amir" (leader) of ISIS operations in India.

Nachan’s family members have reached the hospital following notification from Tihar Jail authorities regarding his medical condition.

Nachan, who goes by aliases such as Raveesh, Khalid and Saquib, was arrested in 2023 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged central role in the ISIS Maharashtra module.

The NIA probe revealed that Nachan held the title of Amir-e-Hind within the outfit and played a pivotal role in radicalising and recruiting vulnerable youth.

According to the investigation, several accused in the case had pledged allegiance (bayth) to Nachan, recognising him as their ideological leader. A foreign-based ISIS handler, identified through multiple aliases including Abu Suleman, Abu Sultan and Mohammad Bhai, is believed to have coordinated directly with Nachan, who in turn administered the pledge to other operatives as part of a wider terror conspiracy.

Officials said the accused were conspiring to destabilise India’s internal security, disrupt democratic institutions and spread communal unrest.

Nachan was lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.

His son, Shamil Nachan, was also arrested in the same case earlier this year for his alleged involvement in the terror plot.

His last rites may be performed in Padgha of Thane district in Maharashtra.

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