ED files complaint against 2 Hizbul Mujahideen operatives under PMLA

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a prosecution complaint against Mubarak Ali and Inayatullah Wani associated with Hizbul Mujahideen under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a terror funding case.

The duo, identified as Mubarak Ali and Inayatullah Wani, are residents of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district and were arrested by local police few years back in the state with Rs 5.4 lakh cash that was suspected to be illegal funds to be handed over to an active Hizb terrorist in the valley, Gulam Nabi alias Javed Qureshi.

On interrogation, they revealed that the alleged money was received from an unknown terrorist in Srinagar and that it was to be delivered to accused Javed Qureshi, who was an active Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant.

The purpose of money was stated to be for providing help in spreading the terrorist activities in the valley. Qureshi was an active militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahidin outfit.

The accused persons were found to be over ground workers of the outlawed outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and were involved and helping in a well-planned conspiracy to increase terrorist activities in the area of Doda District. Accused Mubarak Ali worked as labour contractor and Inayatullah Wani was a member of Village Defense Committee of the area.

In the course of investigation under PMLA, said Mubarak Ali took plea that the seized money was carried by him and his maternal cousin Inayatullah Wani (both accused), for his (Mubarak Ali) treatment of mouth cancer but during investigation, the doctor, who was treating Mubarak Ali, stated that Mubarak Ali was not suffering from mouth cancer and the treatment given to Mubarak Ali was completely free of charge as the patient was advised for treatment at Government Hospital.

However, the doctor stated that had the treatment been given in private clinic it would have cost him a maximum of Rs. 10,000/-. Doctor further denied to have advised Mubarak Ali that the treatment would cost around 5-6 lakhs.

Thus, from the statement of the doctor, it was established that the purpose of seized proceeds of crime was for militancy, as alleged in the FIR, not for medical treatment as claimed. On the issue of source of seized money too, the accused persons could not justify the genuine source of seized amount. Accordingly, the seized money of Rs.5,40,800/-, seized by the police in cash from accused, was attached provisionally on 08.07.2016.

Accordingly, after completion of investigation, Prosecution Complaint u/s 3 of PMLA, has been filed on 14.03.2017 against accused Mubarak Ali & Inayatullah Wani before the Court of Principal District and Sessions Judge, Jammu, the Designated Special Court under PMLA.