Terror financing: NIA court forfeits seized property of terrorist Rinda’s aides

Terror financing: In a first-of-its-kind initiative and part of a new strategy to hit out at the finances of terrorist organisations, a special NIA court forfeited the seized property of four aides of Pakistan-based listed 'Khalistani' terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda. 

The decision has been taken by the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Haryana’s Panchkula. 

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In its official statement, "This is the first time the NIA had proactively sought the properties of terrorists to be ‘forfeited to the State’ under section 26 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)Act after being attached as proceeds of terrorist." 

"Forfeiture of properties is a major new tool in NIA’s strategy to dismantle the terrorist ecosystem in the country," it added. 

The NIA has adopted this strategy to squeeze the financial resources of the terrorist outfits as well as their operatives and associates, sources stated. 

The NIA has already attached several terrorist-linked properties and the process of their forfeiture is underway in various different courts.

Notably, the NIA special court has approved the terror agency’s application seeking the forfeiture of the property, including Rs 7, 80,000 in cash and a Toyota Innova Car (DL1VB-7869), which was used by the accused for transporting arms, ammunition, explosives and narcotics across India.

Meanwhile, on May 5, 2022 Haryana Police seized three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one pistol with two magazines, 31 rounds of ammunition and Rs 1.30 lakh in cash from the four accused, Gurpreet Singh ali Gopi, Amandeep Singh alias Deepa, Parminder Singh alias Pinder and Bhupinder Singh.

They were going to deliver the consignment to Adilabad, Telangana, in the Innova car, in which a specially designed cavity had been created to hide the arms and cash.

A case was registered at Madhubhan Police Station in Haryana under various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substance Act 1908 and section 25 of the Arms Act.

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Extensive investigations led to the seizure of the Innova car and Rs 7,80,000 cash by the NIA on March 30 this year under the provisions of 25 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 after approvals of the competent authority.

"Investigations in the case are continuing," it added. 

- ANI

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