SIA arrests Sarjan Barkati’s wife in militant funding case

Srinagar : 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 militant 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 issued here on Friday 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 militant handlers in the militant 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 militant 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