**Summary:**
RBI/2019-20/65 DBR.AML.BC.No.16/14.06.001/2019-20, dated September 19, 2019, issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), addresses the implementation of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, concerning updates to the ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List. This communication is directed to the Chairpersons/CEOs of all Regulated Entities (REs).
The notification references the Master Direction on Know Your Customer (KYC) dated February 25, 2016, as amended on August 09, 2019, which mandates REs to ensure compliance with Section 51A of the UAPA. Specifically, REs must not maintain accounts for individuals or entities appearing on lists of suspected terrorists approved and circulated by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has forwarded press releases pertaining to additions/amendments to the ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List by the UNSC. These releases are: (i) SC/13914 dated August 09, 2019, (ii) SC/13918 dated August 14, 2019, and (iii) SC/13924 dated August 20, 2019. The press releases are accessible at: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/pressreleases.
The RBI advises REs to meticulously comply with UAPA instructions and ensure they do not maintain accounts for individuals or entities appearing on the UNSC's list of suspected terrorists.
Contact Information: Dr. S. K. Kar, Chief General Manager, Department of Banking Regulation, Central Office, Central Office Building, 13th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001. Phone: 022-22701203; Fax: 022-22701239; Email: cgmamlrbi.org.in; Website: www.rbi.org.in.
Key Entities Referenced
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967: An Indian law aimed at preventing unlawful activities and terrorism. Referred to as UAPA, 1967.
ISIL Daesh Al-Qaida Sanctions List: A list maintained by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that includes individuals and entities subject to sanctions due to their association with ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida.
United Nations Security Council: A principal organ of the United Nations responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. Referred to as UNSC.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The ministry of the Government of India responsible for internal security, border management, and other related matters. Referred to as MHA.
Know Your Customer: Master Direction issued by RBI on February 25, 2016 as amended on August 09, 2019, relating to KYC norms for Regulated Entities
Section 51A of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act: Section of the UAPA Act that mandates regulated entities to not have accounts in the name of individuals/entities appearing in lists of individuals/entities suspected of terrorist links.
Regulated Entities: Entities regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Referred to as REs.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: Location of Central Office of Department of Banking Regulation, Reserve Bank of India.
RBI/2019-20/65
DBR.AML.BC.No.16/14.06.001/2019-20 September 19, 2019
The Chairpersons/CEOs of all the Regulated Entities
Dear Sir/Madam,
Implementation of Section 51-A of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967-
Updates to ISIL (Da’esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List
Please refer to Section 51 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25,
2016 as amended on August 09, 2019, in terms of which “Regulated Entities (REs) shall
ensure that in terms of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) (UAPA) Act, 1967,
they do not have any account in the name of individuals/entities appearing in the lists of
individuals and entities, suspected of having terrorist links, which are approved by and
periodically circulated by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).”
2. In this regard, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has now forwarded three press releases (i)
SC 13914 dated August 09, 2019 (ii) SC 13918 dated August 14, 2019 and (iii) SC 13924
dated August 20, 2019 regarding addition /amendment pertaining to ISIL (Da’esh) & Al Qaida
sanction list by UNSC.
The aforementioned press releases are available at:
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/press-releases
3. In view of the above, REs are advised to ensure meticulous compliance with the
aforementioned instruction pertaining to UAPA and ensure that they do not have any account
in the name of individuals/entities appearing in the lists of individuals and entities, suspected of
having terrorist links, circulated by UNSC.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. S. K. Kar)
Chief General Manager
ब��कंग �व�नयमन �वभाग, क�द्र�य कायार्लय, क�द्र�य कायार्लय भवन, 13वीं मंिजल, शह�द भगत �सहं माग,र् मुंबई – 400 001
फोन: 022-22701203, फैक्स: 022-22701239, ई-मेल: cgmaml@rbi.org.in, वेबसाइट: www.rbi.org.in
Department of Banking Regulation, Central Office, Central Office Building, 13th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001
Phone : 022-22701203, Fax : 022-22701239, E-mail : cgmaml@rbi.org.in, Website : www.rbi.org.in
"Caution: RBI never sends mails, SMSs or makes calls asking for personal information like bank account details, passwords, etc. It never keeps or offers funds to anyone. Please do not respond in
any manner to such offers."