New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday attached a residential property in Punjab linked to a key operative of a transnational narco-terror network allegedly associated with the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
According to the NIA, the property is located at House No. 33, Holy City, Holy Enclave Phase-I, Amritsar, and is registered in the name of the father of accused Ankush Kapoor, who is alleged to be a major India-based operative of the international network.
The anti-terror agency carried out the attachment under Section 25(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the Salaya drug seizure case (RC-26/2020/NIA/DLI).
In a statement, the NIA said the property had been identified as “proceeds of terrorism” under Section 2(g)(ii) of the UAPA. The attachment process was conducted in accordance with legal procedures and in the presence of independent witnesses, with assistance from local authorities.
Investigators have alleged that Ankush Kapoor maintained links with a Dubai-based accused who was connected to the proscribed terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. The agency claims Kapoor played a significant role in the smuggling, transportation, storage and distribution of narcotics while also facilitating the laundering of funds generated through the illegal trade.
According to the NIA, its probe revealed that the narco-terror network had operational links spanning multiple countries, including Italy, Australia, Iran, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan.
The agency further alleged that proceeds generated from international drug trafficking were routed through a complex financial network and used to finance and support terrorist activities in India.
Ankush Kapoor was arrested last year and has already been chargesheeted on multiple counts, including terror financing, criminal conspiracy, providing support to unlawful and terrorist organisations, as well as offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The NIA said a total of 26 accused have been chargesheeted so far in the case, while investigations are still underway to identify additional links and financial channels associated with the network.
The attachment of the Amritsar property is part of the agency’s broader strategy to dismantle the financial and logistical infrastructure that supports terrorism and organised crime networks operating in and against India.
