- Assets of the individual have
been frozen, and they are banned from running
UK companies.
- A group supporting terrorism has also been hit by an asset
freeze.
The UK has today announced an asset freeze and director
disqualification against Gurpreet Singh Rehal (REHAL) who is
suspected of belonging to organisations involved in terrorism in
India. HM Treasury has also announced an asset freeze against a
group, Babbar Akali Lehar, for promoting and supporting the same
terrorist group.
HM Treasury assesses REHAL is involved in Babbar Khalsa and
Babbar Akali Lehar's terrorist activities, including promoting
and encouraging, carrying out recruitment
activities for, providing financial
services to as well as supporting
and assisting those organisations, including through
purchasing weapons and other military materiel.
HM Treasury also assesses that Babbar Akali Lehar is associated
with, and involved in, Babbar Khalsa's terrorist activities by
promoting and encouraging and carrying out recruitment activities
for the group and itself.
All funds and economic resources in the UK owned, held or
controlled by REHAL or Babbar Akali Lehar are now subject to an
asset freeze. These designations will prevent all UK persons and
entities from dealing with any funds or economic resources owned,
held or controlled by either REHAL or Babbar Akali Lehar; or
making funds, economic resources and financial services available
to or for their benefit. This includes any of the entities they
own or control, without a licence from HM Treasury or an
applicable exception.
REHAL is also subject to director disqualification sanctions
which prohibit him from acting as a director of a company or
directly or indirectly taking part in or being concerned in the
promotion, formation or management of a company.
Today's action is the result of close collaboration between HM
Treasury and policing partners, demonstrating the
government's determination to protect both national security and
the peaceful communities affected by terrorism.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury KC MP said:
We will not stand by while terrorists exploit Britain's financial
system. This landmark action shows we are prepared to use every
tool at our disposal to choke off funding for terrorism –
wherever it occurs and whoever is responsible. The UK stands
firmly with peaceful communities against those who promote
violence and hatred.
Further information
-
The Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit)
Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) allow HM
Treasury to freeze assets and impose restrictions on
individuals and entities suspected of involvement in
terrorism. This helps prevent terrorist financing and
protects the UK's financial system from abuse.
-
From 4 December 2025, it is prohibited to:
- Deal with funds or economic resources
owned, held or controlled by Babbar Akali Lehar, Rehal,
or his organisations.
- Make funds, financial services or economic
resources available to them.
-
Allow Rehal to act as a director or take part in company
management.
- Violations carry penalties of up to seven years' imprisonment
on indictment, or civil penalties of up to £1 million or 50% of
the breach value – whichever is greater.
- The designation extends to organisations owned by
Rehal namely; Saving Punjab CIC (company number: 13892609),
Whitehawk Consultations Ltd (company number: 15662866) and
unincorporated organisation/association Loha Designs.
About Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar
Babbar Khalsa (which also uses the name Babbar Khalsa
International) is a proscribed terrorist organisation. HM
Treasury assesses Babbar Akali Lehar to be an
“involved person” under the regulations.
