Fear, stigma: Hyderabad’s Sayeeda Begum on life after bail in terror case

Hyderabad: Released on bail, Hyderabad resident Sayeeda Begum, arrested for allegedly heading a terror module’s women’s wing, said she plans to start a business to support her family.

Begum was among the 12 accused in the Vijayawada terror-links case and was charged with leading “Khawateen,” the women’s wing of “Al Malik Islamic Youth,” an outfit allegedly linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).

At a public grievance redressal gathering organised by Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), Begum shared her ordeal in police custody and hoped to be completely exonerated in the case.

Recounting her experience, Begum said she was repeatedly told she would never get bail, adding that there were months when she feared she might never see her family again.

She expressed gratitude to Advocate Abdus Saleem of the Andhra Pradesh High Court for his legal efforts and assistance that led to her bail.

MBT spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan said the legal proceedings will continue for the next three or four years. He said Begum would have to report to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) police station in Hyderabad once every month and attend the NIA court in Visakhapatnam whenever required, in accordance with the applicable directions and bail conditions.

Begum hopes to start business to support ailing parents, minor son

Begum’s mother, Sabera Begum, is battling Stage 4 cancer, while her father, Mohammed Moula, suffers from severe arthritis.

Although Begum has been released from jail, she fears the stigma surrounding her arrest will make it difficult to earn a livelihood by returning to her previous job as a domestic help.

With no one else to support her ailing parents and minor son, she has planned to start a small business. Khan appealed for financial assistance to help support Begum in establishing her business.

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