J&K cops to question Geelani

J&K police will quiz separatist leader Geelani following seizure of over Rs 46 lakh hawala money meant for the breakaway faction of Hurriyat Conference.

Jammu and Kashmir police will quiz separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani following seizure of over Rs 46 lakh hawala money meant for the breakaway faction of Hurriyat Conference from his close aide as probe also indicated involvement of a prominent carpet dealer in it.

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Authorities were gearing up to question Geelani following claims made by his aide GM Bhat that the money was meant for Geelani and his Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, an amalgam created as a parallel to Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.

Bhat along with his associate was arrested from Qazigund area last week when while fleeing after the news came in about the arrest of his another associate Jamil Khan.

The money was handed over to Bhat by a prominent carpet dealer running business establishments from the national capital, Kashmir and a Gulf country, sources said, adding it was brought in after over-invoicing overseas transactions.

The mails and messages allegedly sent by Bhat to his associate Khan were being examined by the state police and the central security agencies which also claimed that the money was meant for Geelani.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act has been invoked against Bhat by the Jammu and Kashmir police.