The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken action in a terror funding case, provisionally attaching approximately ₹6.34 lakh worth of assets belonging to Raju Khan. The action was carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This case is linked to the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and the Indian Mujahideen (IM), both of which are banned organizations.
The investigation started with an FIR lodged at the Khamtarai police station in Raipur. The FIR alleged that certain bank accounts were being used to transfer money to terrorists in India, under the direction of Khalid, a Pakistani national. The investigation revealed that Dheeraj Sao, also known as Dheeraj Kumar, was using several bank accounts at Khalid’s behest.
It has been revealed that cash deposits were made by different individuals, and these funds were then routed to people like Zubair Hussain, Ayesha Bano, and Raju Khan. Raju Khan was a significant link in this entire network. His bank account received cash deposits of ₹48.82 lakh. He then forwarded ₹42.47 lakh to individuals connected with SIMI and IM, and he kept approximately 13%, or ₹6.34 lakh, as his commission.
The NIA reportedly gathered evidence showing that these funds were reaching terrorists linked with SIMI and the Indian Mujahideen. Dheeraj was arrested in Raipur in 2013, and his cousin Shrawan was also arrested. Based on their information, Zubair and Ayesha, who are from Mangalore, were also arrested, although Raju Khan remained at large until recently. All the accused in this case are now held in Raipur Central Jail.
The ED has, so far, attached movable and immovable assets worth a total of ₹9.15 lakh in this case. Further investigation continues as the ED seeks to identify all individuals implicated.