New Delhi, July 21: A designated court today sentenced students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists Mohammed Yasin Patel and Mohammed Afsal Jaffrey to five years imprisonment under Prevention Of Terrorism Act (POTA) for their membership of the banned organisation and seven years imprisonment for sedition. The duo was arrested by the sleuths of Delhi Police special cell from Jamia Nagar area in South Delhi on May 27 last year while they were pasting provocative posters on the wall of Jamia Millia Islamia University library.

The posters, according to police, proclaimed "destroy nationalism, establish Khilafat," police said.

Police had also recovered 35 such posters from their possession. During interrogation, the accused 'admitted' that they were moved by the attacks on Muslims in Gujarat, police claimed.
According to the police, Patel, who hails from Ahmedabad, joined SIMI after graduating from the Jamiat-ul Falaha of Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh.

He also edited SIMI publication for some time and had served as the outfit's secretary.

Jaffrey, according to police, was a resident of Bijnaur in Uttar Pradesh and had also served as president of SIMI's up zone.
Bureau Report