Four people alleged to be involved in money laundering in a case related to Jammu Kashmir Affectees Relief Trust (JKART) terror funding “voluntarily pleaded guilty” before a Delhi court on Friday.

Mohammad Shafi Shah, Talib Lali, Muzaffar Ahmad Dar and Musthaq Ahmad Lone told the court that they did not claim trial in the matter and accepted the allegations labelled against them by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Special Judge Shailendra Malik posted the matter for February 16 for further proceedings, including arguments on the quantum of sentence to be awarded to them.

“After making them understand the process, accused persons have voluntarily agreed to plead guilty. All the accused persons are being represented by their Advocates who have also made them understand the process and consequences of pleading guilty. Separate statement of each of the accused regarding plea of guilt has been recorded,” the court noted.

The judge also directed jail authorities to produce all the four accused on the next date of hearing.

The court had earlier noted that the case also involved Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) chief Syed Salahuddin and the terror outfit had created a frontal organisation in the name of Jammu Kashmir Affectees Relief Trust (JKART) to fund terrorist activities.

The ED, represented by its Special Public Prosecutor Nitesh Rana, had told the court that the accused persons, along with HM chief Salahuddin and others, laundered funds collected and received from Pakistan through different mediums for its expenditure and distribution to active cadres of the HM and other terrorist outfits, purchase of material used for explosives and terrorist acts and abetment of terrorist acts.

ED’s counsel has said that the outfit was involved in funding nearly ₹80 crores for terrorist activities during the year 2005 to 2013.

The Enforcement Directorate had filed a criminal case of money laundering in this instance after taking cognisance of a National Investigating Agency charge sheet filed against Salahuddin, Shah and others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code. 
 

Image source: Bar and Bench