This Reserve Bank of India (RBI) circular, dated February 25, 2020, with reference number RBI201920164/DOR.AML.BC.No.37/14.06.001/2019-20, addresses the implementation of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. It informs all Regulated Entities (REs) of additions to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Sanctions List concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida, and associated individuals and entities. Specifically, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) (QDe.162) and Islamic State in the Western Sahara (ISGS) (QDe.163) have been added via UNSC Note SCA/22/04 dated February 23, 2020.
The circular reiterates that REs must not maintain accounts for individuals or entities appearing on the UNSC's lists of those suspected of terrorist links, as per Section 51 of the Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016, and amended on January 09, 2020.
Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida, and the Taliban are available at https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list and https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials. REs are directed to ensure meticulous compliance with UAPA instructions.
The circular is issued by Dr. S. K. Kar, Chief General Manager, Department of Regulation, Central Office, Central Office Building, 12th/13th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400001. Contact information: Tel No: 22661602, 22601000; Fax No: 022-2270 5691. The RBI cautions against responding to fraudulent communications requesting personal information.
Key Entities Referenced
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967: Indian law aimed at preventing unlawful activities and terrorism.
United Nations Security Council: A principal organ of the United Nations responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government agency responsible for the country's foreign relations.
Resolutions 1267/1999, 1989/2011 and 2253/2015: United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities.
ISIL (Da'esh): A militant group and former unrecognised proto-state that follows the Salafi jihadist doctrine of Sunni Islam.
Al-Qaida: A multinational militant organization.
Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP): An entity added to the UNSC's 1267/1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List.
Islamic State in the Western Sahara (ISGS): An entity added to the UNSC's 1267/1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List.
RBI/2019-20/164
DOR.AML.BC.No.37/14.06.001/2019-20 February 25, 2020
The Chairpersons/CEOs of all the Regulated Entities
Madam/Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 51A of UAPA, 1967 - Addition of two entities to 1267
List
Please refer to Section 51 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated
February 25, 2016 as amended on January 09, 2020, 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 External Affairs (MEA) has now forwarded the following
notification issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Committee
established pursuant to Resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015)
concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings
and entities:
Note SCA/2/20 (04) dated 23 February 2020 regarding addition of two
entities [QDe.162 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and QDe.163 Islamic
State in the Western Sahara (ISGS)] in UNSC’s 1267/1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida
Sanctions List.
The UNSC press releases concerning amendments to the list are available at
URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/press-releases
िविनयमन िवभाग, क��ीय कायार्लय, क��ीय कायार्लय भवन, 12व�/ 13व� मंिज़ल, शहीद भगत �संह मागर्, फोटर्, मुंबई- 400001
टेलीफोन/ Tel No: 22661602, 22601000 फैक्स/ Fax No: 022-2270 5691
Department of Regulation, Central Office, Central Office Building, 12th/ 13th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai - 400001
"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."3. Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and Taliban
are available at:
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials
4. In view of the above, Regulated Entities (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 the UNSC.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. S. K. Kar)
Chief General Manager