NIA files chargesheet in LTTE terror funding case

Chennai, Mar 29 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today filed a chargesheet against six accused in the LTTE Terror Funding case before the NIA Special Court, Poonamallee here. The chargesheet was filed against Letchumanan Mary Francisko (a woman Sri Lankan National), Kenniston Fernando, Baskaran, Johnson Samuvel, G.Dharmendran and E.Mohan. The case was registered initially by +Q+ Branch CID police here and taken over by NIA on January 18 this year. The case pertained to criminal conspiracy to revive the LTTE by committing forgery for cheating, besides using forged documents as genuine tyo divert funds lodged in dormant accounts to commit unlawful and terror activities. During investigation, it was found that Lethumanan Mary Franciska, Kenniston Fernando and Baskaran entered into a conspiracy with foreign entities to siphon off deposits in dormant bank accounts by using Indian identity documents obtained fraudulently and forging identity documents to revive, revamp and regroup LTTE in India and Sri Lanka. They were abetted by Johnson Samuvel, Dharmendran and Mohan in forging Indian identity documents. Further investigation in the case continues. It may be recalled that the NIA has registered cases against them under Secs 18, 39 and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, Secs 12 (l)(b), 12(1A)(a) of the Passports Act, 1967, Sec 14 (a) of Foreigners Amendment Act, 2004 and under Secs 120(B), 420, 465, 468, 471 r/w 109 of the IPC. The FIR was filed for offences relating to creating multiple Indian identity documents and Indian Passport by submitting forged documents, and using those fake documents to withdraw money from Indian Overseas Bank, Mumbai Fort branch for utilizing it to further the activities of LTTE a proscribed terrorist organization as per Schedule I of the UA(P) Act, 1967. The Central Government has received information from the Tamil Nadu Government Nadu that Q Branch have registered cases under Passport Act, Foreigners Act and under IPC for possession of Indian Passport obtained fraudulently, and further probe by the Tamil Nadu Police revealed involvement of active cadres of LTTE. An alteration report was filed before the Alandur Judicial Magistrate Court-1 and sections of law were altered to 120-B, 420, 465, 468, 471of IPC r/w 109 IPC, Secs 12(1)(b), 12(1A)(a) of Passport Act 1967 r/w 420, 465, 468,471 of IPC r/w l4(a) of Foreigners Amendment Act 2004 and Secs 18, 39 and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and the case was transferred from Alandur JM-1 Court Principal District Sessions Court, Chengalpattu. The Central Government is of the opinion that a Scheduled Offence under the NIA Act, 2OO8 has been committed and having regard to the gravity of the offence, it is required to be investigated by the NIA in accordance with the NIA Act, 2008. The on Home Ministry through an order issued on January 17 this year as per provision of sub-section (a) of section 6 read with sec 8 of the NIA Act, 2008, has directed NIA to take up investigation of the case. GV 1846