UAPA Sanctions List Updated: Two ISIL-K Terrorists Added
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/23 · issued 27 Apr 2023 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all regulated entities to immediately screen accounts against two new UNSC sanctions list entries—Maulawi Rajab and Sultan Aziz Azam, both senior ISIL-Khorasan figures—and freeze any linked assets per UAPA Section 51A.
Sanctions-list safety note. This circular refers to a specific UN Security Council / UAPA designated-entities list update as it stood on the date above — sanctions lists change often, and a newer update almost certainly exists today. Never use this page, or any single dated circular, as your current screening list. Always screen against the live, current list at the official UAPA proscribed-organisations list and the UN Consolidated List, and confirm the obligations for your bank on the official rbi.org.in source below.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks must check all customer accounts and transactions against two new names: Maulawi Rajab and Sultan Aziz Azam (both are senior leaders of a terrorist group called ISIL-Khorasan).
If a bank finds a match with either name, it must freeze (lock) that person's money or assets right away and report it to the government.
Banks must update their screening list (a list of banned people) with these two new entries immediately.
Banks must also look back at old accounts and past transactions to see if any match these two names.
If a customer asks to be removed from the list, the bank must send that request to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) electronically.
How it plays out — a real example
Ravi, a payments & clearing officer in Indore, receives the RBI circular about the two new ISIL-K terrorists. He immediately updates his bank's screening database with Maulawi Rajab and Sultan Aziz Azam, then runs a backward scan of all customer accounts. He finds no matches, but he knows that if he ever does, he must freeze the assets and report to the Financial Intelligence Unit within the required timeline.
What changed
The UNSC added two Afghanistan-based individuals to its ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List on April 26, 2023: Maulawi Rajab (senior ISIL-K leader) and Sultan Aziz Azam (ISIL-K spokesperson). RBI now mandates all regulated entities to update their screening databases and apply asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo measures accordingly.
What it means for you
Banks and lenders must immediately cross-check customer databases and transaction records for any matches with these two new entries. Failure to freeze assets or report matches could lead to regulatory action under UAPA and KYC master directions. This also reinforces the need for real-time sanctions screening systems.
What you must do
Update your UNSC sanctions screening list with the two new entries (QDi.434 and QDi.435) immediately.
Run a backward-looking scan of existing accounts and transactions for any matches with Maulawi Rajab or Sultan Aziz Azam.
Freeze any identified assets and report to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and MHA within the stipulated timeline.
Forward any delisting requests received from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA electronically.
Ensure compliance with Sections 51, 52, and 53 of the KYC Master Direction and the UAPA Order of Feb 02, 2021.
Who it affects
All scheduled commercial banks, Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), Payment system operators, Cooperative banks, All other regulated entities under RBI
❓ Common questions
What is the deadline for implementing these new sanctions?
The RBI circular is dated April 27, 2023, and advises immediate action. There is no specific grace period; regulated entities must update their screening lists and freeze assets without delay.
How do I handle a customer who claims they are wrongly listed?
Any delisting request received by your entity must be forwarded electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs. The individual can also approach the UN Ombudsperson directly via the link provided in the circular.
Are these sanctions only for accounts, or do they cover transactions too?
They cover both. The UNSC resolution imposes an assets freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo. You must freeze all funds and economic resources belonging to or controlled by these individuals, and reject any transactions involving them.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2023-24/23
DOR.AML.REC.107/14.06.001/2023-24
April 27, 2023
The Chairpersons/CEOs of all the Regulated Entities
Madam/Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 51A of UAPA, 1967: Updates to UNSC’s 1267/1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List: Addition of two entries
Please refer to Section 51 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on May 10 , 2021, 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 connection, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has informed about UNSC press release SC/15267 dated April 26, 2023 wherein the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities approved the addition of the two entries as specified below to its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2610 (2021) and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations:
A. Individuals
QDi.434 Name: 1: MAULAWI 2: RAJAB 3: na 4: na
Name (original script): na
Title: na Designation: na DOB: 1976 POB: Afghanistan Good quality a.k.a.: Maulawi Rajab Salahudin Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Afghanistan Passport no: na National identification no: na Address: Paghman District, Kabul Province, Afghanistan Listed on: 26 Apr. 2023 Other information: Senior leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan (ISIL-K) (QDe.161). INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals .
QDi.435 Name: 1: SULTAN AZIZ 2: AZAM 3: na 4: na
Name (original script): na
Title: na Designation: na DOB: 1985 POB: Afghanistan Good quality a.k.a.: na Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Afghanistan Passport no: na National identification no: na Address: Afghanistan Listed on: 26 Apr. 2023 Other information: Spokesperson of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan (ISIL-K) (QDe.161). INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals .
3. Press release regarding the above can be found at https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15267.doc.htm . Further, the UNSC press releases concerning amendments to the list are available at: URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/press-releases
4. The details of the sanction measures and exemptions are available at the following URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267#further_information
5. In view of the above, REs are advised to take appropriate action in terms of section 51, 52 and 53 of the MD on KYC as amended from time to time and strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated Feb 02, 2021, annexed to the MD on KYC.
6. Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and Taliban are available at:
www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials
7. Further, as per the instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), any request for delisting received by any RE is to be forwarded electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA for consideration. Individuals, groups, undertakings or entities seeking to be removed from the Security Council’s ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List can submit their request for delisting to an independent and impartial Ombudsperson who has been appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General. More details are available at the following URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/ombudsperson/application
8. REs are advised to take note of the aforementioned UNSC communications and ensure meticulous compliance.
Yours faithfully,
(Santosh Kumar Panigrahy)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/23 · issued 27 Apr 2023. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All scheduled commercial banks, Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), Payment system operators, Cooperative banks, All other regulated entities under RBI), your first concrete step on “UAPA Sanctions List Updated: Two ISIL-K Terrorists Added” is: “Update your UNSC sanctions screening list with the two new entries (QDi.434 and QDi.435) immediately.” (RBI issued this 27 Apr 2023).
Circular: RBI/2023-24/23 -- UAPA Sanctions List Updated: Two ISIL-K Terrorists Added
Issued: 27 Apr 2023
Action required: Update your UNSC sanctions screening list with the two new entries (QDi.434 and QDi.435) immediately.
Action required: Run a backward-looking scan of existing accounts and transactions for any matches with Maulawi Rajab or Sultan Aziz Azam.
Action required: Freeze any identified assets and report to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and MHA within the stipulated timeline.
Action required: Forward any delisting requests received from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA electronically.
Action required: Ensure compliance with Sections 51, 52, and 53 of the KYC Master Direction and the UAPA Order of Feb 02, 2021.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12496&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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