In a pioneering move as part of a new strategy to disrupt the financial operations of terrorist organizations, a specialized NIA court has seized the assets of four associates of Pakistan-based listed ‘Khalistani’ terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu, also known as Rinda.
The decision was made by the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Panchkula, Haryana. This marks the first instance where the NIA has proactively pursued the forfeiture of terrorists’ properties under section 26 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, classifying them as proceeds of terrorism.
The NIA stated, “Forfeiture of properties is a major new tool in NIA’s strategy to dismantle the terrorist ecosystem in the country.” This strategy aims to restrict the financial resources of terrorist groups and their members and affiliates.
The investigating agency has already taken action to attach several properties linked to terrorism, with the forfeiture process underway in various courts. In this specific case, the NIA special court has approved the agency’s request to forfeit property, which includes Rs 7,80,000 in cash and a Toyota Innova Car (DL1VB-7869) used by the accused for transporting arms, ammunition, explosives, and narcotics across India.
The Haryana Police had 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 alias Gopi, Amandeep Singh alias Deepa, Parminder Singh alias Pinder, and Bhupinder Singh—on May 5, 2022. They were en route to deliver the consignment to Adilabad, Telangana, in the Innova car, which had a hidden compartment designed for concealing arms and cash.
A case was registered at Madhubhan Police Station in Haryana under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substance Act 1908, and section 25 of the Arms Act.
On May 24, 2022, the NIA took over the investigation in the case, revealing that the four men had received multiple consignments of arms, ammunition, explosives, and narcotics sent via drones from Pakistan by wanted terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu. These supplies were delivered to predetermined locations near the Indo-Pak border.
The anti-terror agency stated, “Further investigations showed that Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi had earned a lot of money by smuggling arms, ammunition, explosives, and narcotics.”
Extensive investigations led to the NIA’s seizure of the Innova car and Rs 7,80,000 in cash on March 30 of the same year under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, with the approval of the competent authority.
The NIA’s statement noted, “The NIA Special Court Panchkula after thorough consideration of the matter has now ordered confirmation of the seizures and forfeited the said property under section 26 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 to the State on the grounds that the same constituted ‘proceeds of terrorism.'” The investigation in the case is ongoing.
