Yasin Malik, Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid to face trial in terror funding case

A special NIA court in Delhi has ordered the trial of Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik and six others in a money laundering case linked to terror funding from Pakistan through hawala channels.Special Judge Prashant Sharma on Friday directed that the recording of prosecution evidence begin on November 19. The court had ordered the framing of charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in September.Malik appeared through video conferencing from Tihar Jail during the closed-door hearing. He denied the charges and said he would contest the case.The Enforcement Directorate alleges that the accused received and laundered about Rs 8.95 crore to support separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The other accused are Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Masarat Alam Bhat, Nawal Kishore Kapoor and Trison Farms and Constructions Private Limited.WHAT THE ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORATE ALLEGESThe ED alleges that funds from the Pakistani establishment and terrorist organisations were routed through hawala channels and cash couriers to separatist leaders. According to the agency, intermediaries collected money from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and delivered it to Hurriyat leaders, including Malik.Documents seized from the home of Watali’s cashier and accountant allegedly showed that Malik, Shah and Bhat received foreign contributions through Watali during 2015-16.The agency also cited emails allegedly showing that Malik had set up an international fundraising network to sustain the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and finance separatist activities and violence.The ED opened its investigation on June 14, 2017, based on an NIA case registered under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorist acts and terror funding.In its September 9 order directing the framing of charges, the court said the material on record raised a strong suspicion against all seven accused. They will face trial under Section 3 of the PMLA, punishable under Section 4.- Ends