London, June 17: The Scotland Yard has joined Britain's Charity Commission in investigating the London-based Kashmiri separatist Dr Ayub Thakur's involvement in alleged funding of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir through his charitable organisation Mercy Universal.

"We have received allegations about the charity and its alleged involvement in the funding of terrorism. We have opened an immediate inquiry and will be in contact with the trustees," the Commission spokesman told PTI here today. He said the Commission had also received information from the police about the organisation. "We have received information from the police and we are in liaison with them in the inquiry."
Thakur, whose Indian passport was impounded in 1986, however, denied reports that he had sent nearly 70,000 pounds in the last two months to Syed Salahuddin, Pakistan-based supreme commander of Hizbul Mujahideen. India is trying to seek Thakur's deportation after his alleged involvement in funding terrorism came to light following the arrest of a monthly magazine editor Imtiaz Ahmad Bazaz along with two of his associates in Srinagar recently.
"All the money collected by Mercy Universal is used for charitable purposes," Thakur, who had served as an assistant professor in Kashmir University, Srinagar, and Bhaba Atomic Research Centre before seeking asylum in Britain, said. Bureau Report