ED’s PMLA Probe on Education Consultancies reveal Terror Funding Crime Proceeds of about 1 Crore Rupees
ED’s PMLA Probe – Education Consultancies – Terror Funding Crime Proceeds – crime proceeds – taxscan
ED’s PMLA Probe – Education Consultancies – Terror Funding Crime Proceeds – crime proceeds – taxscan
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Srinagar Zonal Office, has conducted search operations at 10 locations in Srinagar, Budgam, Kupwara, and Anantnag districts of Jammu & Kashmir.
This was done under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an investigation into the involvement of conspirators who were hand-in-glove with some educational consultancies. The consultancies were found to be manipulating or arranging admission of J&K students in various professional courses, including MBBS in Pakistan based colleges, institutions, and universities.
The Enforcement Directorate initiated the investigation on the basis of an FIR registered under various sections of UA(P) Act and IPC. It was further based on a chargesheet filed by CIK, Srinagar, J&K, against various accused persons, for their involvement in accumulating funds for terror activities on the pretext of admission of J&K students in various professional courses in Pakistan based institutions.
The PMLA investigation revealed that many times, these admissions were actually part of the Technical Assistance Programme (TAP) and were offered to foreign students either free or at nominal charges on an annual basis. However, hefty charges were being levied on the students, and the extra money so earned was plowed into supporting terrorism in myriad ways.
This was done on the instructions of Pakistan based handlers as well as those sitting in Jammu & Kashmir. As of now,the proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs. 1 Crore have been approximately determined, and 6 people have also been identified who had been admitted to various institutions in Pakistan by such elements.
During the search operations, documents related to immovable properties and highly incriminating material, including digital devices related to the scam, have been recovered and seized. Further investigation is in progress.
The ED's action is a significant step towards curbing the illegal admission of J&K students in Pakistan based institutions, which are often exploited by terror handlers to accumulate funds for their activities.
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