Srinagar, Nov 24: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) has arrested Shabroza Bano, wife of Sarjan Ahmad Wagay (known as Barkati), over allegations of involvement in terror funding through crowd funding.
Barkati and his wife are accused of orchestrating a substantial fundraising campaign, generating crores of funds.
A police officer told Rising Kashmir that both the family members of Barkati have been found involved in terror financing by raising money through crowd funding.
“A case under FIR number 02/2023 under sections 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 crore,” he said.
The police official said 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,” he added.
The investigation suggests that about Rs 1.74 crores were raised, with a portion misused for undisclosed purposes, including supporting separatist and terrorist activities.
“Funds were deposited in Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs) under Barkati’s family members’ names, raising questions about the legality and use of the funds,” the police official said.
He said further investigations are underway in the case.
Barkati, a key figure in organizing protests and clashes with security forces in 2016, faced numerous FIRs during that period.
