Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA/HARIDWAR, May 30: The police has got more leads in suspicious bank transaction and alleged terror funding case which has recently surfaced in Kathua district in which a couple from district was arrested by Lakhanpur police for suspicious bank transactions of Rs one crore in their accounts which either is related to Hawala or terror funding case.
The investigation into the case registered under UAPA in Lakhanpur Police Station of Kathua district has revealed links extending to Uttrakhand. Earlier, Kathua Police had arrested two youth and were searching for Sonam, another woman linked to the case.
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Police investigations have revealed that Sonam’s name surfaced during the questioning of Rahul Khan, who was arrested by Kathua Police on May 23 along with his wife Sapna. Acting on the leads, Jammu and Kashmir police conducted a raid on May 23 in Kathua and on the disclosure of Rahul, later detained Sonam from Haridwar.
During interrogation, Sonam allegedly admitted that around Rs 20 lakh had been transferred through her bank account. Police claimed that she received nearly Rs 2 lakh as commission. Based on these findings, a case under Sections 17, 19 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act has been registered against her and she is currently in police custody.
Meanwhile, Haridwar Police are also conducting inquiries. Sonam, aged 26, is stated to be a resident of Haridwar and worked nearby. According to police, she came into contact with a network through online job-related work while searching for employment opportunities.
Investigators are examining who actually operated the bank account used for the transactions. Police suspect that several individuals may have deposited and withdrawn money through the account. Mobile phones, bank records, social media activity and other digital evidence are also being scrutinized as part of the probe.
Police said Sonam was introduced to the network through a friend Pooja. Following police raids and questioning, the woman reportedly left her home and has remained untraceable since. Efforts are underway to locate her and ascertain her role, if any, in the case.
Sources said Jammu and Kashmir Police, with assistance from local police in Haridwar, continue to investigate the alleged terror funding network and its links.
Meanwhile, talking to a news channel, SSP Haridwar, Uttrakhand, Navneet Singh Bhullar confirmed that a woman named Sonam was arrested. When she was jointly interrogated by J&K and Haridwar Police, she revealed that she came to know a man named Umar through a friend. She also confessed to transferring approximately Rs 20,00,000 into various accounts as directed by Umar, in exchange for a commission of Rs 2,00,000.
The SSP said the financial condition of her family was not good and she was involved in this activity for some time. Preliminary investigations revealed that there are 25 accounts in which money transfer was done and Lakhanpur Police is investigating the case.
Meanwhile, during a press conference related to some theft cases in Kathua today, Dy SP Headquarters, Ravinder Singh parried a question regard the suspicious bank transaction case when a reporter wanted to know the facts about the same.
It may be recalled that Police in Kathua district had detained a couple for questioning in connection with a case involving suspicious bank transactions worth Rs one crore on May 23. The couple identified as Rahul Khan and his wife Sapna, residents of the Janglote area, were taken into custody by police for investigation for suspicious transactions amounting to Rs one crore in their accounts.
According to sources, the couple originally belonged to the Sujwan area of Rajbagh Kathua but had been living in rented accommodation at different locations in Kathua for the past several years. Rahul Khan is reportedly working as a driver.
Sources said the arrest of the couple was made after the suspicious transactions were detected by some intelligence agencies and the duo came under a scanner.
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