The UK authorities has imposed sanctions on a British Sikh businessman and a bunch linked to him within the first use of its new Home Counter-Terrorism Regime aimed toward reducing off funding to the pro-Khalistan militant outfit Babbar Khalsa.Gurpreet Singh Rehal, related to the Panjab Warriors sports activities funding agency, has been hit with an asset freeze and a director disqualification after being suspected of ties to organizations concerned in terrorism in India, the UK Treasury mentioned on Thursday.The Treasury mentioned it believes Rehal is concerned within the actions of Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar, together with selling and inspiring the teams, recruiting for them, offering monetary companies, and supporting their operations, which allegedly embody buying weapons and different navy gear.“This landmark motion exhibits we’re ready to make use of each instrument at our disposal to choke off funding for terrorism – wherever it happens and whoever is accountable. The UK stands firmly with peaceable communities in opposition to those that promote violence and hatred,” Lucy Rigby, UK’s financial secretary, as cited by PTI. “We is not going to stand by whereas terrorists exploit Britain’s monetary system,” she added. The sanctions prohibit all UK people and entities from dealing with any funds or belongings linked to Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar, and from offering them with monetary companies or assist. The restrictions additionally apply to any organizations they personal or management, except permitted by an HM Treasury license or different accredited exemption.“Rehal can be topic to director disqualification sanctions which prohibit him from performing as a director of an organization or instantly or not directly collaborating in or worrying within the promotion, formation or administration of an organization,” the Treasury mentioned, as cited by PTI.The sanctions imposed on Rehal additionally cowl entities linked to him, together with his organizations Saving Punjab, Whitehawk Consultations Ltd, and the unincorporated group/affiliation Loha Designs.This week’s motion follows shut coordination between the Treasury and regulation enforcement businesses, highlighting what the UK authorities described as its dedication to safeguarding nationwide safety and defending communities affected by terrorism.Beneath the Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Laws 2019, HM Treasury has the authority to freeze belongings and impose restrictions on people and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism, a measure supposed to stop terrorist financing and defend the UK’s monetary system from abuse.Breaching these sanctions may end up in penalties of as much as seven years’ imprisonment on indictment, or civil fines of as much as £1 million or 50 per cent of the breach worth, whichever is increased.The Treasury mentioned Babbar Khalsa, which additionally operates underneath the identify Babbar Khalsa Worldwide, is a proscribed terrorist group, and its evaluation classifies Babbar Akali Lehar as an “concerned particular person” underneath the laws.“Babbar Khalsa (which additionally makes use of the identify Babbar Khalsa Worldwide) is a proscribed terrorist organisation. HM Treasury assesses Babbar Akali Lehar to be an “concerned particular person” underneath the laws,” mentioned the UK authorities.