Kerala Teenager Allegedly Radicalized: Mother and Stepfather Charged Under UAPA for ISIS Connections

During the teenager's visit to the United Kingdom, his mother and stepfather reportedly attempted to influence him with ISIS ideology.

Thiruvananthapuram:

Police have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after a 16-year-old boy from Thiruvananthapuram was allegedly encouraged to join the Islamic State by his mother and stepfather.

The case was registered at Venjaramoodu Police Station following an alert from the boy's family members who suspected radicalization attempts.

Investigators report that the woman, originally from Pathanamthitta, converted to Islam before marrying a man from Vembayam. The couple was residing in the UK. When the teenager visited them in the United Kingdom, they reportedly exposed him to extremist videos and made efforts to indoctrinate him with ISIS ideology.

After returning to Kerala, the couple enrolled the boy in a religious study center in Attingal. Teachers at the institution observed a notable change in his behavior and notified the mother's relatives, who subsequently contacted law enforcement.

The investigation is being led by the Attingal Deputy Superintendent of Police under UAPA provisions. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), India's counter-terrorism law enforcement agency, has also begun collecting initial information about the case.

NDTV sources indicate that senior officials, including the Thiruvananthapuram Rural Superintendent of Police and the Anti-Terror Squad, are actively involved in the investigation. Authorities are verifying the allegations' authenticity and examining whether the biological father, who seeks custody of the child, might be connected to these accusations. Investigators are also exploring another angle suggesting the couple may have connections to an accused in a previous NIA case.