The RBI has notified the removal of three entries from the UNSC ISIL and Al-Qaida sanctions list under Section 51A of the UAPA, 1967. Financial institutions may unfreeze assets subject to due verification and reporting.
Removal of 3 Entities from Terror Funding List
The Reserve Bank of India, on October 27, 2026, issued a notification removing three entries from the United Nations Security Council’s 1267/1989 sanctions list concerning ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida. The update, implemented under Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), permits regulated entities to unfreeze assets and re-enable financial services for the de-listed individuals or organisations, subject to internal verification and reporting protocols.
Such delisting actions typically follow rigorous review by the UNSC’s 1267 Committee, which evaluates whether individuals or entities continue to pose a threat linked to terrorism. The removal reflects evolving international terrorist designations and reaffirms the importance of periodic review mechanisms under global counter-terrorism frameworks.
For legal practitioners, this update necessitates a review of existing asset freezes and compliance records. Financial institutions must act prudently—verifying identity, documenting the basis of de-listing, and ensuring alignment with RBI’s revised advisories. This ensures compliance while mitigating risks of premature or erroneous release of funds.
Citations
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, Section 51A
- UNSC Resolution 1267 (1999)
