Bengaluru: Eleven years after the arrest of a Pakistan-based terrorist in Mysuru, the Principal City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru yesterday convicted Mohammed Fahad Hai under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, (PMLA) and sentenced him to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000. The conviction became the first for Enforcement Directorate under the PMLA Act.  

Judge Basavaraj S. Sappannanavar also directed the authorities to confiscate cash from his bank account amounting to Rs. 44,174 along with the interest, which is estimated to add up to Rs. 90,470.

The case dates back to 2006 when on the basis of information that certain terrorists from Pakistan are planning terrorist activities in Mysore, a Police squad kept watch near the High Tension Power Line at Vijayanagar Ring Road.

On the night of 26/10/2006 at about 11:45 pm, a Police officer noticed that two persons were coming by a Hero Puch two-wheeler, and stopped them for enquiry.

When enquired about their names, the pillion rider informed that he knew only Hindi and hence one of the Police officers showed his identity card and informed them in Hindi that they have to alight from the vehicle as they had to conduct a search.

Immediately the pillion rider jumped and took out the rifle from the bag kept on his lap and fired on the Police squad. Further, another Police squad also joined and overpowered the pillion rider from shooting and apprehended both.

They identified themselves as Pakistani nationals by name Mohammad Ali Hussain and the pillion rider as Mohammad Fahad alias Mohammad Koya alias Neduthani. They were illegally residing at No. 186, 4th Cross, Rajiv Nagar, Udayagiri, Mysore.

On investigation, it was also gathered that they are active members of the banned Al-Badr organisation and entered India without any valid travel documents and were in possession of AK 47 rifle, pistol, live bullets without any license, mobile and satellite phones.

The arms and ammunition along with a two-wheeler bearing registration number KA-09-G424 were seized by the Police under Crime No.165/2006 at Vijayanagar Police.

A chargesheet bearing number CC 991/06 (SC 81/2007) was filed by Vijayanagar Police station vide order no. 1539 and 1540 dated 21/12/20006.

Based on the chargesheet, investigation was initiated under PMLA by the Enforcement Directorate. An amount of Rs. 50,492 (Rs. 44,174 plus interest accrued) was attached and subsequently confirmed through confirmation order dated 24/06/2010 by the adjudicating authority.

A prosecution complaint was filed by Advocate S. Mahesh, on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate.