Paying extortion money is not terror funding: Supreme Court

A Bench led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao released a Ranchi-based coal businessman, booked under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, on bail.

Extortion money paid to a terrorist organisation to protect one’s business is not terror funding, the Supreme Court has said in a judgment. A Bench led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao released a Ranchi-based coal businessman, booked under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, on bail. Sudesh Kedia was charged with funding of terror. But Mr. Kedia said he, in fact, was a victim of extortion. He had been paying money to a terror gang, Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), to ensure that he would be able to carry on with his business.