SIA Kashmir files charge sheet against Sarjan Barkati in Militant financing case

Srinagar, Feb 23: Kashmir unit of State Investigation Agency (SIA) presented charge sheet against Sarjan Ahmad Wagay @ Sarjan Barkati, his wife and Abdul Hamid Lone @ Hamid Mawar, an active terrorist of HM, based in Pakistan, absconding in this case, before the Special UAPA Court, Kulgam, in case FIR No. 02 of 2023 of Police Station SIA Kasimir.

In a statement to news agency Kashmir Dot Com, SIA said that “The case was registered on 03.03.2023 under sections 13, 17, 18, 21, 39, 40 UA(P)A read with section 120-B IPC based in allegations that Sarjan Ahmad Wagay (aka Sarjan Barkati) S/O Abdul Razaq Wagay R/O Rebban, Zainapora, Shopian, an active ideologue, promoter and supporter of ongoing terrorist– secessionist nexus, hatched a criminal conspiracy with others which include his relatives and family members to facilitate, aid, incite, advice, advocate, and promote terrorist and secessionist ideologies and activities through his inflammatory speeches and through such audio video inflammatory speeches he has incited, instigated and provoked youth to join the terrorist ranks. Further In pursuance of aforesaid larger criminal conspiracy, they received, raised and collected funds from different suspicious sources in cash and through banking channels into their bank accounts of different banks, intended to be used for purposes of terrorism and secessionism. By using these funds Sarjan Ahmad Wagay has purchased some immovable properties intended and likely to be used for the furtherance of terrorism.”

The investigation has established the culpability of the accused Sarjan Barkati, his wife and their Pakistan based handler in furthering and financing the terrorist and secessionist activities in J & K. The trio accused pursuant to the criminal conspiracy generated terror funds to the tune of INR 1.74 crores which were routed through various shell accounts intended to be used for promoting and creating wherewithal for propagation of secessionist, subversive, terrorist ideology and unlawful activities in J & K to achieve their common objective of separation of J&K from Union of India and to support terror activities and ecosystem. The trio were in contact with each other through secret communication applications and encrypted messenger applications.

In the investigation of the case among the accused, two are arrested and lodged in judicial custody while the third is based in Pakistan.

The charge sheet was presented within the statutory period of investigation after obtaining the mandatory government sanction against these three accused persons for commission of offences punishable under sections 13, 17, 18, 21, 39, 40 UA(P)A read with sections 120-B, 420, 471 IPC.

Further investigation against other suspects and associates of charge-sheeted accused persons will be continued, the statement added. (KDC)