New Delhi: A Special NIA Court in New Delhi has ordered the framing of money laundering charges against jailed separatist leader Yasin Malik and six others in a case involving alleged foreign funding routed through hawala channels.
The court found prima facie material and strong suspicion against all seven accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Rs 8.94 Crore Proceeds Allegedly Involved
According to the Enforcement Directorate's investigation, proceeds of crime worth around Rs 8.94 crore were allegedly generated and subsequently received, transferred, concealed or used through different channels.
The agency has alleged that the accused received funds from the Pakistani establishment and other organizations through hawala networks. The money was allegedly used to promote secessionist and subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The six other accused named in the case are Zahoor Ahmed Shah Watali, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Naval Kishore Kapoor, Masarat Alam Bhat and Trison Farms and Construction Pvt Ltd.
Court Finds Prima Facie Material
Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma directed that charges be framed after examining the material placed before the court. The proceedings relate to offenses under Section 3 of the PMLA, punishable under Section 4.
The court had listed September 30 for the accused to physically appear and accept or deny the charges. However, some accused could not be produced due to security concerns. The Enforcement Directorate has now been directed to obtain their signatures on the charges while they remain in judicial custody.
Next Hearing On October 30
The alleged funding network, according to the ED, involved cash couriers and other conduits through which money was allegedly moved from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to members of the Hurriyat leadership.
The accused have been linked by the prosecution to alleged efforts to further secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 30.
Malik was separately convicted in a 2017 NIA terror-funding case in 2022 and sentenced to life imprisonment.