A Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in New Delhi has ordered the framing of charges against separatist leader Yasin Malik and six others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case concerning alleged foreign funding routed through hawala channels to finance secessionist and subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The accused facing charges are Zahoor Ahmed Shah Watali, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Naval Kishore Kapoor, M/s Trison Farms and Constructions Pvt Ltd, Masarat Alam Bhat and Mohd. Yasin Malik.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that the accused generated, received, transferred, concealed, possessed and used proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 8,94,87,639. According to the agency, the funds were allegedly received from the Pakistani establishment and other organisations through various channels to promote secessionist ideology and subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma of the Patiala House Courts passed the order on September 9, finding sufficient material to raise a strong suspicion against all seven accused.
The court concluded that the available record establishes a prima facie case raising strong suspicion against all seven accused
It accordingly directed that the accused be charged under Section 3 of the PMLA, punishable under Section 4 of the Act.
The ED has alleged that cash couriers carried funds from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to members of the Hurriyat leadership, including Malik, for supporting alleged subversive activities and the secession of Jammu and Kashmir.
The PMLA proceedings stem from an NIA case registered in 2017 under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The ED filed its complaint on June 14, 2017, to trace the alleged proceeds of crime.
According to the ED, Malik headed the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and had been involved in alleged terrorist and subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir since the 1990s.
The agency’s case relies, among other material, on documents seized from Ghulam Mohd. Bhat, described as a cashier-accountant working with Watali. The ED claims these documents indicate that Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Masarat Alam received foreign contributions through Watali during 2015-16.
The matter was listed on September 30 for the accused to physically appear and accept or deny the charges. Some accused could not be produced in person due to security concerns. The Court has directed the ED to obtain their signed charges while they remain in judicial custody.
The case has now been listed for October 30, 2026.
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