Home › Circulars › RBI/2023-24/50

UAPA Sanctions List Updated: Two Entries Amended

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/50 · issued 24 Jul 2023 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has notified updates to the UNSC 1267/1989 sanctions list, amending two entries (Yazid Sufaat and Faysal Ahmad Bin Ali Al-Zahrani). Regulated Entities must immediately screen accounts and freeze assets of these individuals as per Section 51A of UAPA, 1967, and follow the procedure in the UAPA Order dated February 02, 2021 (amended on March 15, 2023) annexed to the Master Direction on KYC dated February 25, 2016 as amended on May 04, 2023.
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
How it plays out — a real example

A KYC & compliance officer in Indore, Priya, gets an alert from her bank's system about a new customer named 'Yazid Sufaat'. She remembers the RBI update and immediately checks the UN sanctions list. Finding a match, she freezes the customer's gold loan account and files a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) with FIU-IND, following the bank's KYC procedure.

What changed

The UNSC Security Council Committee amended two entries on its ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List on July 21, 2023. The changes involve Yazid Sufaat (Malaysian, founding member of Jemaah Islamiyah) and Faysal Ahmad Bin Ali Al-Zahrani (Saudi, lead oil and gas division official of ISIL, reportedly deceased). RBI has communicated these amendments to all regulated entities, referencing the Master Direction on KYC dated February 25, 2016 as amended on May 04, 2023.

What it means for you

Banks and other regulated entities must immediately update their internal sanctions screening systems to reflect these two amended entries. Any accounts or transactions linked to these individuals must be frozen and reported to FIU-IND. Failure to comply could lead to regulatory action.

What you must do

Who it affects

All scheduled commercial banks, Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), Payment system operators, Other regulated entities under RBI's purview

❓ Common questions

What is the legal basis for this notification?

This notification is issued under Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and the RBI Master Direction on KYC dated February 25, 2016 as amended on May 04, 2023. It requires regulated entities to ensure no accounts are held by individuals/entities on the UNSC sanctions list.

What should I do if I find a match with the amended entries?

Immediately freeze the account or asset, file a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) with FIU-IND, and follow the procedure as laid down in the UAPA Order dated February 02, 2021 (amended on March 15, 2023). Do not inform the customer about the freezing action.

Are these amendments retroactive?

The UNSC press release is dated July 21, 2023, and the amendments were enacted on that date. You must review all existing accounts and transactions for potential matches, not just new ones.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2023-24/50 DOR.AML.REC.26/14.06.001/2023-24 July 24, 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: Amendments in 02 Entries Please refer to Section 51 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on May 04, 2023 (MD on KYC), in terms of which “Regulated Entities (REs) shall ensure that in terms of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) (UAPA) Act, 1967 and amendments thereto, 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), Government of India has informed about the UNSC press release SC/15363 dated July 21, 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 enacted the amendments specified with strikethrough and/or underline in the entries below on 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.124 Name: 1: YAZID 2: SUFAAT 3: na 4: na Title: na Designation: na DOB: 20 Jan. 1964 POB: Johor, Malaysia Good quality a.k.a.: na Low quality a.k.a.: a) Joe b) Abu Zufar Nationality: Malaysia Passport no: A 10472263 National identification no: 640120-01-5529 Address: a) Taman Bukit Ampang, State of Selangor, Malaysia (previous address) b) Malaysia (in prison since 2013 to 2019 ) Listed on: 9 Sep. 2003 (amended on 3 May 2004, 1 Feb. 2008, 10 Aug. 2009, 25 Jan. 2010, 16 May 2011, 11 Oct. 2016, 22 Sep. 2017, 1 May 2019, 8 Nov. 2022, 21 Jul. 2023 ) Other information: Founding member of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) (QDe.092) who worked on Al-Qaida’s (QDe.004) biological weapons program, provided support to those involved in Al-Qaida’s 11 Sep. 2001 attacks in the United States of America, and was involved in JI bombing operations. Detained in Malaysia from 2001 to 2008. Arrested in Malaysia in 2013 and sentenced to 7 years in Jan. 2016 for failing to report information relating to terrorist acts. Completed detention on 20 November 2019. Served a two-year restricted residence order in Selangor Malaysia until 21 November 2021 . Due for release in Feb. 2020 . Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1989 (2011) was concluded on 6 Mar. 2014. Photos included in INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://imsva91-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.interpol.int%2fen%2fnotice%2fsearch%2fun%2f1424794&umid=3D2EFD2D-0129-6706-9095-F2B8C7990917&auth=abdfdbe6752236e541eb65dc17b6083407719387-bf2f91f51432a36e6fd6dc1d1854351541a3a625. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 2253 (2015) was concluded on 21 Feb. 2019. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 2610 (2021) was concluded on 8 November 2022. Photos included in INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals . QDi.392 Name: 1: FAYSAL 2: AHMAD 3: BIN ALI 4: AL-ZAHRANI Name (original script): فيصل احمد بن علي الزهراني Title: na Designation: na DOB: 19 Jan. 1986 POB: na Good quality a.k.a.: Faisal Ahmed Ali Alzahrani Low quality a.k.a.: a) Abu Sarah al-Saudi b) Abu Sara Zahrani Nationality: Saudi Arabia Passport no: a) Saudi Arabia number K142736, issued on 14 Jul. 2011, issued in Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia b) Saudi Arabia number G579315 National identification no: na Address: Syrian Arab Republic Listed on: 20 Apr. 2016 (amended on 1 May 2019, 21 Jul.2023 ) Other information: Reportedly deceased . Was the lead oil and gas division official of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), listed as Al-Qaida in Iraq (QDe.115), for Al Barakah Governorate, Syrian Arab Republic, as of May 2015. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 2253 (2015) was concluded on 21 Feb. 2019. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals . 3. In accordance with paragraph 58 of resolution 2610 (2021), the Committee has made accessible on its website the narrative summaries of reasons for listing of the above entries at the following URL: www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries . 4. Press release regarding the above can be found at https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15363.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 5. The details of the sanction measures and exemptions are available at the following URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267#further_information 6. In view of the above, REs are advised to take appropriate action in terms of Section 51 of the MD on KYC and strictly follow the procedure as laid down in the UAPA Order dated February 02, 2021 (amended on March 15, 2023) annexed to the MD on KYC. 7. 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 8. 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 9. REs are advised to take note of the aforementioned UNSC communications and ensure meticulous compliance. Yours faithfully, (Saidutta Sangram Keshari Pradhan) General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/50 · issued 24 Jul 2023. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related
Most relevant forKYC / AML AnalystCompliance TeamBranch Manager — Private Bank / SFBBranch Manager — PSU / Co-op / RRB (sanctioning powers)Branch Operations (Accounts / FD / CASA)Teller / Cashier / Customer Service Officer
🛠 Banker’s toolkit — checklists & reply templates →
Related circulars · Department of Regulation
SFB Pillar 3 Disclosure Norms Aligned with BaselUCB Deposit Rate Disclosure & Uniformity Rules UpdatedLAB Deposit Rate Disclosure & Uniformity Rules TightenedPayments Banks: Interest Rates Must Match Disclosed ScheduleRBI Updates Bulk Deposit Rate Rules and Disclosure Timing
Browse all departments →
Who does what — compliance checklist
🏦 Branch Manager
  • Communicate this update to all relevant branches and departments handling KYC/AML compliance.
⚙️ Operations
  • Ensure compliance with Section 51A of UAPA, 1967, and the Master Direction on KYC dated February 25, 2016 as amended on May 04, 2023, and maintain records of screening actions.
📜 Compliance
  • Update your UNSC sanctions screening database with the amended details for Yazid Sufaat and Faysal Ahmad Bin Ali Al-Zahrani.
  • Conduct a retrospective review of all existing accounts and transactions to identify any matches with these individuals.
  • Freeze any identified assets or accounts immediately and file a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) with FIU-IND.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template

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, Other regulated entities under RBI's purview), your first concrete step on “UAPA Sanctions List Updated: Two Entries Amended” is: “Update your UNSC sanctions screening database with the amended details for Yazid Sufaat and Faysal Ahmad Bin Ali Al-Zahrani.” (RBI issued this 24 Jul 2023).

  1. Circular: RBI/2023-24/50 -- UAPA Sanctions List Updated: Two Entries Amended
  2. Issued: 24 Jul 2023
  3. Action required: Update your UNSC sanctions screening database with the amended details for Yazid Sufaat and Faysal Ahmad Bin Ali Al-Zahrani.
  4. Action required: Conduct a retrospective review of all existing accounts and transactions to identify any matches with these individuals.
  5. Action required: Freeze any identified assets or accounts immediately and file a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) with FIU-IND.
  6. Action required: Ensure compliance with Section 51A of UAPA, 1967, and the Master Direction on KYC dated February 25, 2016 as amended on May 04, 2023, and maintain records of screening actions.
  7. Action required: Communicate this update to all relevant branches and departments handling KYC/AML compliance.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. 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

Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.

Loading comments…
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=12524&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.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗
—