In a significant development in a terror funding case, a special court designated for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Jammu and Kashmir has issued an order for the attachment of a piece of land. The property is allegedly linked to a Kashmiri lobbyist who is based in the United States.
Court Order and Legal Basis
The attachment directive was passed in connection with a specific First Information Report (FIR). This is FIR No. 46/2020, which was originally registered at the Budgam Police Station. The case invokes serious sections of India's stringent anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The sections applied in this case are Sections 10, 13, and 39 of the UAPA. Broadly, these sections deal with penalties for being a member of an unlawful association, punishment for unlawful activities, and the offense of supporting a terrorist organization, respectively. The court's move to attach the land is a procedural step often taken to prevent the accused from disposing of assets that might be proceeds of crime or used for unlawful activities.
Details of the Case and Accused
While the detailed court order outlines the allegations, the central figure in this matter is a Kashmiri individual who operates as a lobbyist and is currently residing in the US. The NIA's probe into FIR 46/2020 has led investigators to trace and identify assets, including this land parcel in Jammu and Kashmir, believed to be connected to the accused's alleged activities.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts by Indian investigative agencies to track and dismantle the financial networks that are suspected of fueling terrorism and separatism in the region. Actions like property attachment are critical tools in this process, aimed at choking the flow of funds and resources.
Implications and Next Steps
This court order, dated for compliance in December 2025, marks a concrete step forward in the legal proceedings. The attachment of the land effectively brings it under the court's custody, preventing any sale or transfer. It is a pre-trial measure that strengthens the prosecution's case regarding the alleged illicit nature of the asset.
The development highlights the long-arm jurisdiction being pursued in terror-related cases, even when the accused are located overseas. The NIA and the judiciary continue to focus on the economic backbone of such activities. The legal process will now proceed further, with the prosecution building its case based on the evidence gathered, which now includes the control of this attached property.
