Mumbai ISIS Module Case: PMLA Court Allows Aakif Nachan To Have Lawyer Present During ED Interrogation, But Beyond Hearing Range
Mumbai, August 31, 2026: The special PMLA court has allowed the plea filed by Aakif Nachan, arrested for his alleged links with ISIS, to have his lawyer present while officials of the ED question him about money laundering and terror finances. The court, however, said that his lawyer can be at a visible distance but not at hearing range. ED had obtained permission to question Nachan and 18 other…
Mumbai, August 31, 2026: The special PMLA court has granted Aakif Nachan's request to have his lawyer present during his interrogation by ED officers regarding money laundering and terror finances, though the advocate must remain beyond the hearing range of the officers. Nachan, arrested for alleged links with ISIS, had initially sought permission from the PMLA court to have his advocate present during questioning.
The ED had sought to question Nachan and 18 others arrested by NIA for their alleged connections to ISIS modules. The financial ties between the accused and money laundering are under investigation. Nachan had provided a written statement to the ED, explaining his concerns about possibly being influenced by an advocate during the interrogation.
The ED argued that any advocate present would inevitably influence the accused, stating that a statement under PMLA must be voluntary, uninfluenced, and free from external interference. The court ruled that Nachan can have his preferred lawyer present during the recording of his statement by ED officers, but this advocate must not be within hearing range to avoid any interference in the proceedings.
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