SRINAGAR, Nov 24 – The State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Friday said to have arrested
one lady namely Shabroza Bano wife of Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Barkati of South
Kashmir.
“She, along with her husband, has been found involved in terror financing by raising
money through crowd funding. A case under FIR number 02/2023 under section
13,17,18,21,39,40 UA(P) Act, 120-B IPC of police station, SIA pertains to the
involvement of Barkati family in orchestrating an extensive fund-raising campaign
through crowd funding, resulting in the generation of funds amounting to crores,” a
statement said.
As per a statement, these funds were subsequently misused, involving money
laundering and acquisition of undisclosed assets for propagation of radicalism within the
Kashmir valley.
“While Sarjan Barkati was arrested in August this year, his wife Shabroza Bano has
been evading arrest after her role surfaced in the case. During the investigation of SIA
Shabroza Bano came out as one of the conspirators and was found hand in glove with
her husband and Pak based terror handlers in the terror funding case,” the statement
said.
“The investigation reveals that Shabroza Bano has remained in constant contact with
Pakistani handlers through encrypted messaging platforms. Consequently, she was
arrested today on 24.11.2023. Barkati and his family had managed to raise
approximately Rs 1.74 crores through crowd funding campaigns. These funds were
raised for personal gains and a significant portion of the collected funds was allegedly
misused for undisclosed purposes, including financing of secessionist and terrorist
activities,” the statement added.
A substantial portion of the acquired funds had been deposited in various Fixed Deposit
Receipts (FDRs) under the names of Barkati’s family members, raising questions about
the legitimacy of the sources and utilization of the funds.
Pertinent to mention that the main accused in the case Sarjan Barkati was a prominent
figure in organizing large-scale protests, rallies, and clashes with security forces in
2016.
During that period he was instrumental in abetting youth to storm security forces
establishments for which more than 30 FIRs were registered against him in various
police stations of the valley.
