JeI funding case: NIA searches six locations in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 16: National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir pertaining to Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) militancy funding Case.
“NIA conducted searches at six locations in Baramulla, Budgam and Srinagar districts of J&K in a case under number RC-03/2021/NIA/DLI,” a statement issued said.
It said that the case pertains to the activities of the members of JeI who have been collecting funds domestically and abroad through donations particularly in the form of Zakat, Mowda and Bait-ul-Mal purportedly to further charity and other welfare activities but are using funds so collected for violent and secessionist activities.
“The funds being raised by JeI are also channellise to militant organisations such as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others through well organised networks of JeI cadres. JeI has also been motivating impressionable youth of Kashmir and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in J&K to participate in disruptive secessionist activities. The case was registered by NIA suo-moto on 05.02.2021,” the statement said.
“During the searches conducted today at the premises of office bearers and members of JeI various incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized,” it said, adding that further investigation in the case continues.
Pertinently, the raid at the house of Feroz Ahmad Sheikh, Khalid Ahmad Sheikh and Zahoor Ahmad Sheikh, sons of Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh of Dewan Colony Ishber Nishat was not conducted by NIA, but was carried out by Income Tax department.