On Tuesday, the court awarded life imprisonment to Md. Kamruj Zaman, also known by his aliases ‘Dr. Hurairah’ and ‘Kamaruddin,’ for his central role in a conspiracy to establish a terror module in Assam between 2017 and 2018.
The Special Judge, while pronouncing the judgment, took a stern view of the terror-related activities intended to destabilize the region. The accused, Kamruj Zaman, was awarded three separate sentences of Simple Imprisonment (SI), which are mandated to run concurrently.
- Imprisonment for Life: Awarded under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P) Act], 1967, which pertains to the punishment for conspiracy to commit a terrorist act.
- Five Years Simple Imprisonment: Awarded under Section 18B of the UA(P) Act (punishment for recruiting persons for terrorist acts) read with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (criminal conspiracy).
- Five Years Simple Imprisonment: Awarded under Section 38 of the UA(P) Act, which deals with the offense relating to membership of a terrorist organization.
In addition to the prison terms, the court imposed a fine of ₹5,000 for each of the three instances. The court further clarified that a default in the payment of these fines would lead to an additional three months of simple imprisonment for each count.
The case dates back to 2018, initially registered at the Jamunamukh police station in Hojai district, Assam. The investigation was subsequently taken over by the NIA due to the gravity of the allegations involving a proscribed international terror organization.
The core of the prosecution's case rested on the allegation that Kamruj Zaman was the mastermind behind an attempt to transplant the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen's operations into the heart of Assam. During 2017 and 2018, Zaman allegedly worked tirelessly to "raise a module"—legal terminology for recruiting, radicalizing, and organizing a group of local youths—to carry out terrorist strikes.
According to the NIA’s findings, the primary objective of this conspiracy was to "strike terror in the minds of the people" through violent activities. The investigation revealed that Zaman had successfully recruited several individuals, including Sahnawaz Alom, Saidul Alam, and Omar Faruk, to further the group's agenda in the state.
The legal journey of this case has seen various phases since the NIA filed its first chargesheet in March 2019. The chargesheet originally named five individuals involved in the conspiracy.
- The Plea of Guilt: Three of the accused—Sahnawaz Alom, Saidul Alam, and Omar Faruk—had previously been convicted by the court. Their convictions followed a legal route where they pleaded guilty to the charges leveled against them, leading to a conclusion of their part of the trial.
- Abatement of Trial: The fifth accused in the case, Jaynal Uddin, passed away due to illness during the course of the trial. As per standard legal procedure under the Code of Criminal Procedure (now replaced by the BNSS), the proceedings against a deceased person stand abated.
- The Main Conviction: Md. Kamruj Zaman remained the central figure of the trial. Unlike those who pleaded guilty, his sentencing today marks the culmination of the evidence presented against the primary "recruiter" and "conspirator" of the module.
For those following legal developments, this case highlights the rigorous application of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Unlike ordinary criminal law, the UA(P) Act is a specialized legislation designed to handle threats to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
- Section 18 is often described by legal experts as one of the broadest sections of the act, as it covers any conspiracy, attempt, or even the "advocacy" of a terrorist act. The awarding of life imprisonment under this section signifies that the court found substantial evidence that Zaman was not just a member, but a planner of potential violence.
- Section 18B specifically targets the "engines" of terror organizations—those who recruit. By sentencing Zaman under this section, the court has sent a clear message against the radicalization of youth in the Northeast.
- Section 120B of the IPC serves as the foundational "conspiracy" charge, proving that there was a meeting of minds between Zaman and his recruits to commit illegal acts.
The conviction of ‘Dr. Hurairah’ is being viewed as a major success for the NIA in the Northeast. By dismantling this module before it could execute a major strike, the agency and the judicial system have effectively neutralized a potential threat to the communal harmony and security of Assam.
The sentencing serves as a reminder of the zero-tolerance policy adopted by the Indian judiciary regarding terror-related conspiracies. As the sentences run concurrently, Zaman will serve the remainder of his life in prison, marking a definitive end to the Hojai-based HM module.