Trial of Shabir Shah, Wani begins in money laundering case

New Delhi, Jan 16: The trial of Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah and alleged hawala dealer Muhammad Aslam Wani in a money laundering case began in a court here on Tuesday. Testifying as a prosecution witness, Enforcement Directorate (ED) official Ajay Kumar got recorded his statement before Additiol Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma. The court fixed February 26 for recording of statement of another prosecution witnesses. Shah was arrested on July 25, 2017, on charge of money laundering in the case dating back to 2005 when the Delhi Police Special Cell arrested Wani. In the 2005 case lodged by the Special Cell, the court had acquitted co-accused Wani of the charges of crimil conspiracy and other offences but convicted him under the Arms Act. The Enforcement Directorate had submitted that the conviction under the Arms Act was the trigger point to take action under the PMLA. The court had framed charges under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA act against both accused. (IANS)