Cuttack, May 26: Cuttack District Court has acquitted Abdur Rehman, who was arrested in December 2015 from Paschimkachhar, Salepur, due to lack of evidence. He was arrested on suspicion of being linked to terror groups Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Indian Mujahideen.

The Delhi Police, with support from Odisha Police, had arrested him alleging that he was involved in anti-national activities and recruiting youth into extremist organizations.

At the time of his arrest, police claimed that Rehman was running a madrasa in Odisha where around 80 students from Jharkhand and neighbouring states were enrolled.

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Authorities alleged that he was imparting anti-national teachings and attempting to radicalize young minds. It was further suspected that he received foreign funding to support these activities.

In February 2023, the Patiala House Court in Delhi convicted Rehman along with three others for conspiracy, unlawful activities, and recruiting youth for terrorism. He was sentenced to seven years and five months of rigorous imprisonment, which he has already served.

Following his release from that sentence, the pending case in Odisha continued until the Cuttack District Court finally acquitted him due to lack of evidence.

The acquittal comes nearly 11 years after his arrest. While police tried to find evidences in connection with the case around alleged links to AQIS and Indian Mujahideen, the court found insufficient proof to sustain the charges.