Delhi High Court to Deliberate on Aslam Wani's Plea for Money Laundering Case Dismissal

The Delhi High Court, on Wednesday, issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following a petition from Mohd. Aslam Wani seeking to quash a money laundering case against him. Wani has already been acquitted in the primary terror funding case, although he was convicted under the Arms Act for illegal arms possession.

The ED initiated proceedings against Mohd. Aslam Wani and co-accused Kashmiri Separatist leader Shabir Shah on February 2, 2007. Following his arrest on August 6, 2017, Wani was granted bail on January 18, 2019. Justice Sanjeev Narula sought a response from the ED as the High Court prepared for a hearing set for September, with Advocate M S Khan representing Wani.

Khan argued that the money laundering charge couldn't be supported solely by illegal arms possession as there was no generation of crime proceeds through arm sales. In 2005, Wani was apprehended with explosives, arms, and significant cash, allegedly as a courier for Shah. Despite previous acquittals of major charges, Wani was convicted under the Arms Act. Consequently, an ECIR was recorded, leading to further proceedings involving Wani and others in New Delhi's Patiala House Courts. According to statements under the PMLA, funds were delivered to Shabir Shah, and at times, to Dr. Bilquies Shah.

(With inputs from agencies.)