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UNSC Sanctions List Updated: One Entry Removed

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2024-25/121 · issued 27 Feb 2025 · ~2 min read

Quick answerRBI directs all regulated entities to update their records following the UNSC's removal of Lionel Dumont from the ISIL & Al-Qaida sanctions list. No new accounts or transactions with this individual are restricted, but existing compliance procedures under UAPA must be followed.

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

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) removed Lionel Dumont from its list of people linked to terrorist groups, so banks no longer have to freeze his money or stop him from traveling.
Banks must update their computer systems to remove Lionel Dumont from the list of people they watch for terrorism rules.
If a bank had frozen Lionel Dumont's money before, they can now release it, but they should first check with a lawyer to be safe.
Banks must still follow all other rules for people and groups still on the UNSC list, like checking names and reporting suspicious activity.
If a customer asks to be removed from the sanctions list, the bank must send that request to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as instructed.

How it plays out — a real example

A payments & clearing officer in Indore, Priya, checks her bank's system daily for updates. On March 1, 2025, she sees that Lionel Dumont has been removed from the UNSC sanctions list. She updates her screening database to stop flagging his name, and she tells her team that any frozen accounts for this person can be unfrozen after getting legal advice. She also reminds everyone to keep following the rules for all other listed individuals.

What changed

The UN Security Council removed one individual (Lionel Dumont) from its ISIL & Al-Qaida sanctions list effective February 21, 2025. Consequently, the asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo no longer apply to this entry. RBI has communicated this change to all regulated entities via a circular dated February 27, 2025.

What it means for you

Banks and other regulated entities must promptly update their internal sanctions screening databases to reflect this delisting. While this specific entry no longer requires freezing, entities must continue to strictly comply with UAPA Section 51A and the KYC Master Direction for all other listed individuals and entities. Any de-listing requests received from customers must be forwarded to MHA as per existing instructions.

What you must do

Update your UNSC sanctions list records to remove Lionel Dumont (QDi.095) from your screening database.
Ensure no new freezing actions are taken against this individual; release any frozen assets if applicable, subject to legal advice.
Continue to monitor the UNSC sanctions list website for future updates and implement changes promptly.
Forward any de-listing requests from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs, as per MHA instructions.

Who it affects

All regulated entities (banks, NBFCs, payment system operators, etc.), Compliance and AML/KYC teams, Branch staff handling account opening and transaction monitoring

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Stated effective date effective February 21, 2025
Decoded by BankPulse 2026-06-18 02:26 IST

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

What is the significance of this UNSC list update for my bank?

It means you must remove the delisted individual from your internal sanctions watchlist and stop applying asset freeze measures to that person. However, you must continue to screen against the full updated list for all other entries.

How do I handle a customer who claims they were wrongly listed and now want their account unfrozen?

If the customer is not on the current UNSC list, you can unfreeze the account after verifying the updated list. For any de-listing requests, forward them electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs, as per MHA instructions.

Where can I find the latest UNSC sanctions list?

The updated ISIL & Al-Qaida sanctions list is available at www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list. The Taliban list is at www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI

RBI/2024-25/121
 DOR.AML.REC.64/14.06.001/2024-25
 February 27, 2025
 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 01 Entry
 Please refer to paragraph 51 of the RBI’s Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on November 06, 2024 (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/16003 dated February 21, 2025 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, removed the entry below from the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al‑Qaida Sanctions List after the Committee concluded its consideration of the de-listing request for this name submitted through the Office of the Ombudsperson established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1904 (2009), and of the Comprehensive Report of the Ombudsperson on this de-listing request. The assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2734 (2024) and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations accordingly no longer apply to the entry.
 A. Individuals
 QDi.095 Name: 1: LIONEL 2: DUMONT 3: na 4: na
 Title: na Designation: na DOB: 29 Jan. 1971 POB: Roubaix, France Good quality a.k.a.: a) Jacques Brougere b) Abu Hamza c) Di Karlo Antonio d) Merlin Oliver Christian Rene e) Arfauni Imad Ben Yousset Hamza f) Imam Ben Yussuf Arfaj g) Abou Hamza h) Arfauni Imad Low quality a.k.a.: a) Bilal b) Hamza c) Koumkal d) Kumkal e) Merlin f) Tinet g) Brugere h) Dimon
 Nationality: France Passport no: na National identification no: na 
 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 dated February 21, 2025 regarding the above can be found at https://press.un.org/en/2025/sc16003.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 Para 51 of the MD on KYC and strictly follow the procedure as laid down in the UAPA Order dated February 02, 2021 (amended on April 22, 2024) 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 de-listing 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,
 (Veena Srivastava)
 Chief General Manager

Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2024-25/121 · issued 27 Feb 2025. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.

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Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All regulated entities (banks, NBFCs, payment system operators, etc.), Compliance and AML/KYC teams, Branch staff handling account opening and transaction monitoring), your first concrete step on “UNSC Sanctions List Updated: One Entry Removed” is: “Update your UNSC sanctions list records to remove Lionel Dumont (QDi.095) from your screening database.” (RBI issued this 27 Feb 2025).

Circular: RBI/2024-25/121 -- UNSC Sanctions List Updated: One Entry Removed
Issued: 27 Feb 2025
Action required: Update your UNSC sanctions list records to remove Lionel Dumont (QDi.095) from your screening database.
Action required: Ensure no new freezing actions are taken against this individual; release any frozen assets if applicable, subject to legal advice.
Action required: Continue to monitor the UNSC sanctions list website for future updates and implement changes promptly.
Action required: Forward any de-listing requests from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs, as per MHA instructions.
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.

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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=12788&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.