National Investigation Agency asks US firm to preserve data

The National Investigation Agency which is investigating the role of Areeb Majeed, who allegedly joined terror outfit ISIS, has now approached a US company providing free call services with a request from an Indian court to “preserve data” related to the accused.

Initially also, the NIA had approached the US firm, which provides free calling and video chatting, with a request to “preserve the data” but the company clarified that this could be done only after directions from the designate court. The NIA then approached the Mumbai court and sought “Data Preservation Request” and sent it to the company through proper channels.

The NIA feels that Majeed had been interacting on such a particular social site with his family and girlfriend while he was allegedly fighting alongside with cadres of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. In addition, the NIA has also sent Letters Rogatory(LR) for legal vetting for Luxembourg as Majeed had used “Skype” video chatting to be in touch with his family and relatives, the sources said.

Two other LRs for Iraq and Turkey, his port of embarking and exit respectively, had also been sent for legal vetting after which it will be sent to home ministry for clearance. A request under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) was also being sent to Kuwait for handing over details of the person who had transferred money to Majeed and three of his friends in Mumbai’s Kalyan area.

The NIA has already approached the authorities in the US, Canada and Australia for providing cyber evidence under the MLAT about the Internet activities of Majeed, who had claimed that he was never engaged in terror activities during his stay with the ISIS.