NCLT Orders Winding Up of Siraj-ul-Uloom Welfare Foundation, Freezes Assets Over Sovereignty Concerns | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has ordered the winding up of the Siraj-ul-Uloom Welfare Foundation, Shopian, a non-profit entity registered as a company, and directed that its assets be taken over by an Official Liquidator amid allegations that its activities were detrimental to India’s sovereignty and national security.

In an ex parte order, the Tribunal removed the existing management of the organisation, which was engaged in running educational institutions and social welfare initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, and placed the entity under liquidation proceedings following inputs from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

As per official submissions, the MCA informed the court that intelligence inputs from the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the intelligence wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, suggested that the organisation’s activities were fraudulent and inconsistent with its stated objectives, raising concerns over national security implications.

The Official Liquidator has been directed to immediately assume control of all bank accounts, financial assets and property of the foundation, and to secure relevant records to prevent tampering or removal. The former directors have been divested of authority and instructed to file a verified statement of affairs within the stipulated timeframe.

The MCA initiated proceedings after receiving a CID report alleging that the organisation’s financial dealings were being channelled through an older trust structure in a manner intended to conceal transactions and avoid regulatory oversight. The ministry further expressed concern that prior notice could have led to diversion of assets or destruction of evidence.

Acting on these concerns, the Tribunal granted urgent ex parte relief and authorised immediate enforcement action, including identification and inventory of assets, as liquidation proceedings begin.

Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, a well-known educational seminary located in Hillow, Imam Sahib area of Shopian district, has 814 students and 102 faculty members, and is ranked second in the Valley after Darul Uloom Raheemiyyah in Bandipora.