Delhi High Court grants bail to Masasasong Ao in NSCN-IM money laundering case
The Delhi High Court granted bail to alleged Naga insurgent Masasasong Ao in an ED money laundering case linked to the NSCN-IM and the 2019 seizure of ₹72 lakh from Alemla Jamir.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted bail to Masasasong Ao, who is accused of being a Naga insurgent, in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.
The case dates back to 2021, when it was registered after the arrest of Alemla Jamir. Jamir has been described as a self-styled "cabinet minister" of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)-IM, a banned separatist organisation. She was intercepted at Delhi airport on December 17, 2019, while preparing to travel to Dimapur, and ₹72 lakh was seized from her. The case against her was registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Ao was taken into custody in the money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in 2022.
In the UAPA case, the National Investigation Agency has alleged that Ao and other members of the insurgent group helped Jamir run an extortion racket, channel terror funds and carry out disruptive acts. He was arrested by the NIA in February 2020 in that case and continues to remain in custody.
The high court's order on Thursday relates to the money laundering proceedings, while Ao's custody in the UAPA matter is unaffected.