Implementation of Section 51A of UAPA, 1967: Updates to UNSC’s 1988 (2011) Taliban Sanctions List: Amendment of 01 Entry:
The Reserve Bank of India directed regulated financial entities to update their records following amendments to the UNSC’s 1988 Taliban Sanctions List, adding one entry under Section 51A of the UAPA, 1967.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) instructed all regulated financial institutions, including banks and non-banking financial companies, to review their customer records against the updated United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Taliban Sanctions List. The directive follows amendments to the list, which now includes one additional entry under the 1988 sanctions regime, as communicated by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on August 27, 2026. Financial entities are required to ensure no accounts or transactions involve individuals or entities listed under the UNSC’s sanctions framework, as mandated by Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The updated entry pertains to an individual associated with the Taliban regime, identified as Abdul Salam Hanafi, with multiple aliases and identification documents, including Afghan passports issued in 2023 and 2020. The individual is designated as the Deputy Minister of Education under the Taliban regime and is listed for involvement in drug trafficking and leadership roles in Jawzjan Province. The UNSC’s 1988 Sanctions Committee amended the entry on August 27, 2026, adding restrictions including asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes.
Regulated entities must comply with the RBI’s Chapter IX of the Know Your Customer Directions, 2025, which requires strict adherence to the UAPA Order dated February 2, 2021 (amended April 22, 2024). Financial institutions are advised to immediately freeze any assets or accounts linked to the listed individual and report such findings to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for further action. The RBI emphasized the need for meticulous compliance to prevent any inadvertent violations of the sanctions regime.
The RBI also outlined the delisting procedure for individuals or entities seeking removal from the UNSC’s Taliban Sanctions List. Requests for delisting must be submitted either directly to the UNSC Focal Point for Delisting or through the individual’s state of residence or nationality. Further details on the delisting process are available on the UNSC’s official sanctions webpage. Financial entities are urged to monitor the UNSC communications closely and ensure all compliance measures are strictly followed.