Court orders trial of Yasin Malik, Engineer Rashid, five others in money laundering case

A Special NIA Court at Patiala House Courts in New Delhi has ordered the framing of charges against jailed separatist leader Yasin Malik, Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, and five others in a money laundering case linked to alleged funding from Pakistan for secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Special Judge Prashant Sharma ordered the framing of charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), finding sufficient material on record to raise strong suspicion of the accused persons’ involvement in the alleged offence.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 8.94 crore were generated, received, transferred, concealed and used by the accused through various channels.

The other accused are separatist leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah and Masarat Alam, Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, Naval Kishore Kapoor, and Trison Farms and Constructions Pvt Ltd.

The ED’s case stems from a 2017 investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in which charges under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act were invoked.

According to the prosecution, funds were allegedly received from the Pakistani establishment through hawala networks and other channels to support secessionist activities. The agency has alleged that cash couriers and intermediaries collected money from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and delivered it to separatist leaders for activities it described as subversive.

The ED has further alleged that Malik received foreign funds worth more than Rs 3 crore, while Shah and Rashid received funds through intermediaries and maintained links with separatist organisations.

The allegations against the accused remain to be established during the trial.