Delhi court orders trial for Yasin Malik and five others in money laundering case

A special NIA court in New Delhi has ordered a trial for separatist leader Yasin Malik, Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid (alias Engineer Rashid), and five others in a money laundering case. Special Judge Prashant Sharma ruled that there is sufficient material to raise a strong suspicion of involvement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleges that approximately Rs 8.94 crore in proceeds of crime were generated and routed through hawala channels to fund secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The prosecution claims these funds were provided by the Pakistani establishment to propagate subversive agendas and activities prejudicial to Indian law.

The accused include Malik, chief of the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Shabir Ahmad Shah, Masarat Alam, Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, Naval Kishore Kapoor, and Trison Farms and Constructions Pvt Ltd. Prosecution evidence is scheduled to be recorded starting November 19. Malik, appearing via video conference from Tihar Jail, denied the charges and stated he will contest the case.