ED probe reveals PFI's global network of more than 13,000 active members, hawala funding

The Popular Front of India (PFI) came under the Enforcement Directorate (ED) scanner after K A Rauf Sherif, the organisation's student wing leader was arrested in 2020. Since then, a multi-agency probe was launched into the alleged links and finances of the banned organisation.

Based on the investigations spanning over years, the ED, on Friday issued a statement and said that PFI, a proscribed terrorist organisation, was working to create an Islamic movement in India through a "jihad" that included non-violent air raids and "guerilla theatre", apart from various methods of cruelty and subjugation.

The federal agency issued a statement, saying it has attached fresh assets worth more than Rs 35 crore that are "beneficially-owned and controlled" by the PFI "in the name of various trusts, companies and individuals" as part of its ongoing probe against the outfit and entities linked to it.

More than 13,000 active members

As per the ED dossier, PFI had more than 13,000 active members in Singapore and Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

"PFI has formed well-defined district executive committees (DECs) for the non-resident Muslim diaspora living in the Gulf, which was tasked with collection of funds," the ED said.

The agency said it has seized assets worth a total Rs 61.72 crore as part of its probe, arrested 26 PFI members and filed nine chargesheets.

Probe into the finances of the organisation banned by the Centre in September 2022, has revealed that the PFI allegedly conspired and raised funds from within the country and abroad through banking channels, "hawala", donations etc. for "committing and financing" terror acts across India.

Involvement in terror activities

The ED has alleged that the real objectives of the PFI, formed in 2006 in Kerala but headquartered in Delhi, are "different" from the ones stated in its constitution.

"Real objectives of PFI include formation of an organisation for carrying out an Islamic movement in India through jihad, though PFI masquerades itself as a social movement. PFI claimed use of non-violent forms of protest but evidence reveals that the methods of protest employed by them are violent in nature," the agency alleged.

It described some of the methods of protest used by the outfit for the preparation of a "civil war" by creating unrest and strife in the society, through "non-violent air raids, guerrilla theatre (street plays on social and political issues), alternative communication systems (non-mainstream media outlets) etc.".

The agency said the PFI undertook civil disobedience of laws, propounded dual sovereignty (holding more than one sovereign), creating parallel governments and disclosing identities of secret agents in order to "undermine" the unity and sovereignty of the country.

It has also been alleged by the ED that the PFI gave arms training under the garb of physical education classes, where they imparted "offensive and defensive" manoeuvres using different variations of blows, punches, kicks, knife and stick attacks.

Delhi riots, Hathras connection

The PFI has also been charged with being "actively involved" in "inciting" violence and "fomenting trouble" during the February 2020 Delhi riots. It has also been alleged that PFI and CFI (Campus Front of India, the PFI's student wing) members visited Hathras in Uttar Pradesh a few years ago with an intent to disturb communal harmony, incite communal riots and spread terror.

The ED has alleged that the PFI had planned to form a "terrorist gang" by collecting deadly weapons and explosive devices to launch attacks on important and sensitive places and individuals with an intent to undermine India's unity, integrity and sovereignty, and disturb communal harmony.

The outfit has been accused of organising a training camp with an intent to cause disturbance during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Patna on July 12, 2022 and printing "incriminating" literature that had the potential to pose a threat to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country.

(With PTI inputs)