New Delhi: Tightening the noose around Kashmiri separatist leaders, the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday issued a show cause notice to senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for illegal possession of foreign currency to the tune $10,000 in 2002.

The notice issued under different sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) is in connection with foreign currency seized by  the income tax authorities during a 2002 raid at Mr Geelani’s Hyderpora house in Srinagar. The ED issued a summon to Mr Geelani in March, asking him to appear before the agency in Srinagar. However, Mr Geelani’s lawyer filed a written submission denying seizure of foreign currency from his house.

But ED has now clarified that Mr Geelani’s chartered accountant failed to provide evidence of any legitimate source of the foreign currency, making him liable for action under FEMA. The ED has asked Mr Geelani to explain to the adjudicating officer within 30 days as to why the currency should not be seized.