New Delhi: Delhi's special NIA court has ordered framing of charges against seven accused including Yasin Malik under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court said that the material in the case raises prima facie strong suspicion against the accused.
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This case is related to money allegedly sent from abroad for terrorism and separatist activities. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been investigating the transactions and use of money in this case for a long time.
Why did the court consider the case worth pursuing?
The court ordered framing of charges after considering the material on record and the documents produced by the investigating agency. According to the court, the available evidence creates such strong suspicion against the accused, on the basis of which further judicial process can be initiated under PMLA. However, framing of charges does not amount to conviction. There will be further hearing in the court against the accused in the case and they will get an opportunity to present their side.
What is ED's claim regarding the amount of ₹8.94 crore?
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The Enforcement Directorate alleges that an amount of about ₹8.94 crore was delivered to the accused. According to the agency, this money was allegedly sent to India from Pakistan and other terrorist organizations through hawala and other means.
ED says that this amount was allegedly used in activities related to separatist and terrorist activities. The investigating agency has made this alleged money trail the basis of the money laundering case.
Apart from Yasin Malik, who are the accused?
There are a total of seven accused along with Yasin Malik in this case. These include Zahoor Ahmed Shah Watali, Abdul Rashid Shaikh, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Naval Kishore Kapoor, Masrat Alam Bhat and Trison Farms and Construction Private Limited. The investigating agency alleges that there were alleged activities of transaction of money and its transfer through different means between these accused.
ED complaint was filed in 2017
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The Enforcement Directorate had filed a complaint on June 14, 2017, to investigate the proceeds of the alleged crime and its utilization. After this, the agency took further action regarding the alleged financial transactions and money trail that came to light in the investigation. Now after the latest order of the court, the process of formally framing charges in the case will move forward.
What will happen next?
After the court order, the hearing of the case will now proceed. There will be a detailed hearing during the judicial process on the charges leveled against the accused under PMLA. Till the final decision of the court in this matter, the allegations will be seen only as allegations.