RBI Designates Hizb-Ut-Tahrir as Terrorist Organization

On October 19, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a notification regarding the designation of Hizb-Ut-Tahrir (HuT) as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. This designation follows a Gazette notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) dated October 10, 2024, which lists Hizb-Ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organization due to its aims of establishing an Islamic state and Caliphate through jihad and other terrorist activities. The organization has been implicated in radicalizing youth to join groups like ISIS, raising funds for terrorism, and using social media to promote its agenda. The RBI emphasized the importance of compliance with the UAPA provisions, particularly for regulated entities, which must adhere to the KYC Master Direction that requires reporting any accounts associated with individuals or entities listed as terrorists. The RBI reminded regulated entities to remain vigilant and to comply with any future amendments to the UAPA.

Reserve Bank of India

RBI/2024-25/84
DOR.AML.REC.48/14.06.001/2024-25

October 19, 2024

The Chairpersons/ CEOs of all the Regulated Entities

Madam/Dear Sir,

Designation of one organisation under Section 35(1) (a) and 2(1) (m) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and its listing in the First Schedule of the Act- Reg.

In terms of Section 51(c) of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on January 04, 2024, “The procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated February 2, 2021 (Annex II of this Master Direction) shall be strictly followed and meticulous compliance with the Order issued by the Government shall be ensured.” Further, Section 51(b) of the aforementioned Master Direction states that, “Details of accounts resembling any of the individuals/entities in the lists shall be reported to FIU-IND apart from advising Ministry of Home Affairs as required under UAPA notification dated February 2, 2021 (Annex II of this Master Direction)”. In this regard, it is reiterated that the UAPA Order in Annex II of the MD on KYC, 2016 shall also apply to amendments carried out in Schedule IV and I of the UAPA, 1967 apart from the UNSC lists mentioned in the Order.

2. In this connection, please refer to the Gazette notification dated October 10, 2024 of the MHA in respect of one organization which has been declared as ‘Terrorist Organsiation’ and has been listed in the Schedule I of the UAPA 1967, under Section 35 (1) (a) and 2(1) (m) of UAPA 1967. The Statutory Order (S.O.) number and the respective entry are as provided below:

3. Regulated Entities (REs) are advised to take note of the aforementioned Gazette notification issued by MHA for necessary compliance. REs shall also take note of any future amendments to Schedule I of the UAPA, 1967, for immediate necessary compliance.

Yours faithfully,

(Veena Srivastava)
Chief General Manager

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 10th October, 2024

S.O. 4391(E).—Whereas, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act) has been enacted to provide for more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations and for dealing with terrorist activities and for matters connected therewith;

And whereas, as per clause (m) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the said Act, ‘terrorist organisation’ means an organisation listed in the First Schedule to the said Act or an organisation operating under the same name as an organisation so listed;

And whereas, the First Schedule to the said Act contains the list of such terrorist organisations;

And whereas, ‘Hizb-Ut-Tahrir (HuT)’ is an organisation which aims to establish Islamic state and Caliphate globally including in India by overthrowing democratically elected Governments through jihad and terrorist activities by involving citizens of the country, which is a grave threat to the democratic setup and internal security of the country;

And whereas, the ‘Hizb-Ut-Tahrir (HuT)’ is involved in radicalisation and motivation of gullible youth to join terrorist organisations, such as ISIS (which is listed as a terrorist organisation under the First Schedule to the said Act at serial number 38) and raising funds for terror activities;

And whereas, the ‘Hizb-Ut-Tahrir (HuT)’ is promoting terrorism by using various social media platforms, secure apps and by conducting Dawah meetings to encourage gullible youth to indulge in acts of terrorism;

And whereas, the Central Government believes that ‘Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT)’ is involved in terrorism and has participated in various acts of terrorism in India;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby makes the following further amendments in the First Schedule to the said Act, namely: –

In the First Schedule to the said Act, after serial number 44 and entries relating thereto, the following serial number and entries shall be inserted, namely: –

“45. ‘Hizb-Ut-Tahrir (HuT)’ and all its manifestations and front organisations”

[F. No. 11034/17/2023/CT-l]

PRAVEEN VASHISTA, Addl. Secy.

Note.- The First Schedule to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 was last amended vide the notification number S.O. 747 (E), dated the 17th February, 2023.