The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken action in a terror funding case, provisionally attaching assets amounting to around ₹6.34 lakh belonging to Raju Khan. This move was made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The case is connected to the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and the Indian Mujahideen (IM), both proscribed organizations.
The investigation began with an FIR filed at the Khamtarai police station in Raipur. The FIR alleged that certain bank accounts in India were being used for transferring funds to terrorists, acting on instructions from Khalid, a Pakistani national. The inquiry revealed that Dheeraj Sao, also known as Dheeraj Kumar, was instructed by Khalid to operate several bank accounts.
Reports indicate that cash deposits were made by different individuals, and these funds were then passed on to individuals like Zubair Hussain, Ayesha Bano, and Raju Khan. Raju Khan played a crucial role within this network. His bank account received cash deposits totaling ₹48.82 lakh. He subsequently forwarded ₹42.47 lakh of this amount to individuals linked with SIMI and IM, keeping around 13%, which is ₹6.34 lakh, as commission for himself.
Evidence obtained by the NIA suggested that the funds were reaching terrorists affiliated with SIMI and the Indian Mujahideen. Dheeraj was arrested in Raipur in 2013, and his cousin Shrawan was also arrested at the same time. Based on the information gathered from them, Zubair and Ayesha, who reside in Mangalore, were also apprehended. However, Raju Khan was at large until recently. Currently, all the accused in this case are incarcerated in Raipur Central Jail.
In the ongoing investigation, the ED has so far attached movable and immovable assets totaling ₹9.15 lakh. Further investigation is underway as the ED aims to uncover the identities of other individuals involved in the case.