Raipur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 6.34 lakh belonging to Raju Khan under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with a terror financing case linked to banned outfits Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Indian Mujahideen (IM). So far, movable and immovable assets worth Rs 9.15 lakh have been attached in total.

The investigation stems from a 2011 FIR registered by Khamtarai Police Station in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, against Dheeraj Sao (alias Dheeraj Kumar) and others under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

The FIR alleged that certain bank accounts were being used to channel funds from unidentified sources in India on instructions from an individual named “Khalid” based in Pakistan. These funds were subsequently routed to Zubair Hussain, Aysha Banu, and Raju Khan, who are alleged SIMI and IM members.

According to the ED, Sao operated multiple accounts at Khalid’s behest, diverting cash deposits to various recipients, including Khan. Forensic examination revealed that Khan received nearly Rs 48.82 lakh in deposits, of which Rs 42.47 lakh was allegedly passed on to SIMI-IM members following instructions from Khalid and Dheeraj Sao. The remaining Rs 6.34 lakh, retained by Khan as commission, has been described by ED as proceeds of crime.

Khan, a key link in the terror financing network, has been in judicial custody since his arrest on 5 December 2021. He was also taken into custody on 21 December 2023 in a separate case involving fraudulent SIM cards allegedly used in cyber frauds across India, linked to over 180 FIRs. Bail applications in both the Raipur PMLA case and the Delhi matter have been rejected.

The case dates back to 2011 when Dheeraj Sao, originally from Bihar, ran a chicken cart in Raipur. On Khalid’s instructions, Sao opened bank accounts, transferred funds to specific individuals, and retained 13% as commission. Raju Khan’s accounts were used to channel the funds to multiple recipients across India.

While Sao and others were arrested between 2013 and 2014, Khan remained absconding until his arrest in Bengal in 2021. All accused are currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail.