Delhi court orders trial of Yasin Malik, Engineer Rashid, 5 others in money laundering case

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Oct 24, 2026: A court in New Delhi has ordered the framing of charges against jailed separatist leader Yasin Malik, Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, and five others in a money laundering case linked to alleged funding from Pakistan through hawala channels for secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Special Judge Prashant Sharma ordered the framing of charges against the seven accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), observing that sufficient material was available on record to raise strong suspicion of their involvement in the alleged offence.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 8.94 crore were generated, received, routed, transferred, concealed, possessed, acquired and used by the accused through various channels.

The accused include Malik, chief of the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF); separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah; Engineer Rashid; Masarat Alam; Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali; Naval Kishore Kapoor; and M/s Trison Farms and Constructions Pvt Ltd.

The ED case originates from a 2017 National Investigation Agency (NIA) case in which charges were invoked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The prosecution has alleged that the accused received funds from the “Pakistani establishment” through hawala channels and other means to promote secessionist activities and carry out acts allegedly prejudicial to the law of the land.

According to the ED, the funds were transferred through a complex network of cash couriers and intermediaries who allegedly collected money from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and delivered it to separatist leaders, including Malik, for subversive activities.

The agency has further alleged that Malik received foreign funds worth more than Rs 3 crore and laundered the proceeds of crime. Shah and Rashid have also been accused of receiving funds through intermediaries and maintaining links with separatist organisations.

The allegations against the accused are yet to be established during the trial.