Delhi High Court grants bail to Naga rebel in money laundering case

The money laundering case was filed in 2021 following the arrest of Alemla Jamir, a self-styled “cabinet minister” of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)-IM, a banned separatist outfit, in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Delhi High Court on Thursday (September 24, 2026) granted bail to alleged Naga insurgent Masasasong Ao in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.

The money laundering case was filed in 2021 following the arrest of Alemla Jamir, a self-styled “cabinet minister” of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)-IM, a banned separatist outfit, in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Jamir was detained at the Delhi airport on 17 December 2019 when she was about to travel to Dimapur with ₹72,000.

Ao was arrested in a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in 2022.

In the UAPA case, the NIA accused Ao and other members of the insurgent group of helping Jamir run extortion rackets, channeling funds to terror and committing disruptive acts.

In February 2020, he was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the UAPA case and remains in custody.

Published – 24 Sep 2026 22:49 IST