News Analysis India

Tag: Popular Front of India

  • NIA chargsheets 68 in PFI cases of Kerala, TN

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed two chargesheets against 68 Popular Front of India (PFI) leaders, cadres and members in two separate cases in Kochi (Kerala) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu). The charges against them include “conspiring to carry out acts of terror and violence with the ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic Rule in India by 2047.”

    According to NIA sources, the chargesheets filed Friday in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the two states where PFI is active, relate to separate “criminal conspiracies” relating to creating a wedge between people of different communities through radicalisation of impressionable Muslim youth, providing them with training in handling of weapons, and raising funds for carrying out acts of terror and violence with the ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic Rule in India by 2047.

    With these, the total number of chargesheets filed by NIA against PFI cadres this month has gone up to four. The first such chargesheet was filed in Jaipur on March 13 and the second in Hyderabad on March 16.

    The Kerala PFI case was registered in September 2022.

    The chargesheet was filed in the Special Court for NIA Cases, Ernakulam, against the PFI as an organisation and 58 other accused persons. NIA had arrested 16 of the accused after taking over the case in 2022, while the others were arrested earlier by Kerala Police. More than 100 locations across the state were raided in connection with the case. The NIA has also attached 17 properties as they were identified as ‘proceeds of terrorism’ and frozen 18 bank accounts of the accused during the course of its investigations.

    In a similar case registered and investigated by NIA’s Chennai branch in Tamil Nadu, the agency filed a chargesheet against 10 accused. 

    NIA investigations allegedly revealed that to achieve their objectives, PFI had established various wings & units including the “physical and arms training wing.” 

    The PFI was allegedly using its various campuses, facilities and infrastructure to impart arms training to selected cadres in the guise of physical education, Yoga training, etc. 

    NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed two chargesheets against 68 Popular Front of India (PFI) leaders, cadres and members in two separate cases in Kochi (Kerala) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu). The charges against them include “conspiring to carry out acts of terror and violence with the ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic Rule in India by 2047.”

    According to NIA sources, the chargesheets filed Friday in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the two states where PFI is active, relate to separate “criminal conspiracies” relating to creating a wedge between people of different communities through radicalisation of impressionable Muslim youth, providing them with training in handling of weapons, and raising funds for carrying out acts of terror and violence with the ultimate objective of establishing an Islamic Rule in India by 2047.

    With these, the total number of chargesheets filed by NIA against PFI cadres this month has gone up to four. The first such chargesheet was filed in Jaipur on March 13 and the second in Hyderabad on March 16.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The Kerala PFI case was registered in September 2022.

    The chargesheet was filed in the Special Court for NIA Cases, Ernakulam, against the PFI as an organisation and 58 other accused persons. NIA had arrested 16 of the accused after taking over the case in 2022, while the others were arrested earlier by Kerala Police. More than 100 locations across the state were raided in connection with the case. The NIA has also attached 17 properties as they were identified as ‘proceeds of terrorism’ and frozen 18 bank accounts of the accused during the course of its investigations.

    In a similar case registered and investigated by NIA’s Chennai branch in Tamil Nadu, the agency filed a chargesheet against 10 accused. 

    NIA investigations allegedly revealed that to achieve their objectives, PFI had established various wings & units including the “physical and arms training wing.” 

    The PFI was allegedly using its various campuses, facilities and infrastructure to impart arms training to selected cadres in the guise of physical education, Yoga training, etc. 

  • UAPA charges against arrested PFI men in Bihar

    Express News Service

    PATNA: Bihar government has initiated action against members of the radical Islamic organisation, Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates following a directive from the Union Home Ministry. The Centre has already banned PFI for its alleged involvement in unlawful activities, which were prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country. However, the state government has initiated action under provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.

    According to sources, Bihar home department has asked the District Magistrate (DMs) to take action against seven PFI suspects on the basis of inputs provided by the Union Home Ministry.  The Union Home Ministry had written to state home secretary Amir Subhani for providing names, details of bank accounts and PAN numbers of the members.

    Later, special secretary (home department) KS Anupam asked all district magistrates to initiate action against PFI suspects on the basis of these inputs. The Union Home Ministry’s undersecretary SP Choudhary had earlier sent the details of seven PFI suspects to the state chief secretary of Bihar Subhani, who subsequently asked the authorities concerned to book the seven suspects under UAPA.

    Among seven suspects, four are from Darbhanga and one each from Araria, Sitamarhi and Madhubani. The PFI suspects have their bank accounts in these districts. “We have received a communique from the state home department to tighten the noose around PFI activists and its affiliates.

    The inputs have been shared with SP asking him to take action accordingly,” said Araria DM Inayat Khan. NIA had conducted raids at the PFI members in Phulwarisharif locality in the state capital in September and arrested its three members.

    Seven suspectsThe DMs have been asked to take concrete step against PFI and its affiliates under Unlawful (Prevention) Activities Act. Among seven suspects, four are from Darbhanga and one each from Araria, Sitamarhi and Madhubani. 

    PATNA: Bihar government has initiated action against members of the radical Islamic organisation, Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates following a directive from the Union Home Ministry. The Centre has already banned PFI for its alleged involvement in unlawful activities, which were prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country. However, the state government has initiated action under provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.

    According to sources, Bihar home department has asked the District Magistrate (DMs) to take action against seven PFI suspects on the basis of inputs provided by the Union Home Ministry.  The Union Home Ministry had written to state home secretary Amir Subhani for providing names, details of bank accounts and PAN numbers of the members.

    Later, special secretary (home department) KS Anupam asked all district magistrates to initiate action against PFI suspects on the basis of these inputs. The Union Home Ministry’s undersecretary SP Choudhary had earlier sent the details of seven PFI suspects to the state chief secretary of Bihar Subhani, who subsequently asked the authorities concerned to book the seven suspects under UAPA.

    Among seven suspects, four are from Darbhanga and one each from Araria, Sitamarhi and Madhubani. The PFI suspects have their bank accounts in these districts. “We have received a communique from the state home department to tighten the noose around PFI activists and its affiliates.

    The inputs have been shared with SP asking him to take action accordingly,” said Araria DM Inayat Khan. NIA had conducted raids at the PFI members in Phulwarisharif locality in the state capital in September and arrested its three members.

    Seven suspects
    The DMs have been asked to take concrete step against PFI and its affiliates under Unlawful (Prevention) Activities Act. Among seven suspects, four are from Darbhanga and one each from Araria, Sitamarhi and Madhubani. 

  • PFI man protesting denial of information on reasons for arrest gets FIR copy

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Copies of the FIR and arrest memo have been supplied to a man arrested during the massive crackdown on the Popular Front of India (PFI) before it was banned, the Delhi High Court was informed on Monday, days after the accused remonstrated the denial of information about the reasons for his arrest.

    The alleged (PFI) activist had moved the high court seeking a copy of the FIR registered against the members of the now outlawed organisation, the grounds for arrest of each of them, and the remand applications filed by the NIA for the custodial interrogation of the accused.

    Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta listed the matter for further hearing on November 11 as the counsel for the accused said the case is listed before the trial court later in the day and he expects the remand application to be provided to him as his NIA custody is likely to end.

    The counsel for Mohd Yusuff, who was arrested from his residence in Chennai on September 22 in the case lodged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the stringent anti-terror law, also told the high court he has received a copy of the FIR after filing the petition and that the accused will get to know the reasons for his arrest from NIA’s remand application.

    “How will we move bail application when we do not know the case against us?” advocate Adit Pujari, appearing for Yusuff, said during arguments.

    The NIA’s counsel noted the grounds of arrest are also mentioned in the FIR and vehemently opposed the accused’s prayer for a copy of the remand application.

    “The remand application is akin to our case diary. The case is at an initial stage. We are keeping it confidential as it can hamper our investigation. The procedure is that they have to first move to the special court and then come to the high court,” the NIA counsel said.

    He said the remand application also contains what the agency is probing and, if supplied to the accused, it will prejudice the NIA’s case.

    A large number of alleged PFI activists were detained or arrested in several states during the massive raids preceding the nationwide ban imposed on the radical Islamist outfit on September 28.

    Petitioner Yusuff, who claims to be a practising advocate, had sought a direction to the NIA to provide him with a copy of the FIR lodged by the agency in Delhi on April 13, the documents listing the grounds of the arrest of each accused person and a copy of the remand applications filed by the NIA before the trial court.

    The petitioner said he was arrested around 3 AM on September 22 from his residence in Chennai by the NIA along with others, who all were picked up from different parts of the country and brought to the national capital in connection with the case lodged in Delhi.

    “At the time of his arrest, the respondent (NIA) did not communicate to the petitioner any particulars of the offence for which he has been arrested or any grounds of such arrest in clear violation of the statutory mandate provided under Section 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) read with Article 22(1) of the Constitution,” the plea submitted.

    ALSO READ | Delhi HC asks NIA to respond to plea for FIR copy lodged against alleged PFI members 

    It said when the accused were produced before a trial court here, their counsel sought a copy of the FIR lodged on September 22 as well as on September 26.

    However, the additional sessions judge (ASJ) rejected the application filed by the petitioner on the ground that the matter is of a sensitive nature and that providing a copy of the FIR will hamper the investigation, the petitioner submitted.

    It added Article 22(1) of the Constitution prohibits the detention of a person arrested and in custody without being informed of the grounds of such arrest.

    The plea said denial of a copy of the FIR, circumscribing the allegations and particulars of the offences against the accused persons, is a clear violation of the principles of natural justice and the accused person’s right to fair trial and investigation.

    The government banned the PFI and several of its associate organisations on September 28 for five years under the stringent anti-terror law UAPA, accusing them of having “links” with global terror groups like ISIS.

    NEW DELHI: Copies of the FIR and arrest memo have been supplied to a man arrested during the massive crackdown on the Popular Front of India (PFI) before it was banned, the Delhi High Court was informed on Monday, days after the accused remonstrated the denial of information about the reasons for his arrest.

    The alleged (PFI) activist had moved the high court seeking a copy of the FIR registered against the members of the now outlawed organisation, the grounds for arrest of each of them, and the remand applications filed by the NIA for the custodial interrogation of the accused.

    Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta listed the matter for further hearing on November 11 as the counsel for the accused said the case is listed before the trial court later in the day and he expects the remand application to be provided to him as his NIA custody is likely to end.

    The counsel for Mohd Yusuff, who was arrested from his residence in Chennai on September 22 in the case lodged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the stringent anti-terror law, also told the high court he has received a copy of the FIR after filing the petition and that the accused will get to know the reasons for his arrest from NIA’s remand application.

    “How will we move bail application when we do not know the case against us?” advocate Adit Pujari, appearing for Yusuff, said during arguments.

    The NIA’s counsel noted the grounds of arrest are also mentioned in the FIR and vehemently opposed the accused’s prayer for a copy of the remand application.

    “The remand application is akin to our case diary. The case is at an initial stage. We are keeping it confidential as it can hamper our investigation. The procedure is that they have to first move to the special court and then come to the high court,” the NIA counsel said.

    He said the remand application also contains what the agency is probing and, if supplied to the accused, it will prejudice the NIA’s case.

    A large number of alleged PFI activists were detained or arrested in several states during the massive raids preceding the nationwide ban imposed on the radical Islamist outfit on September 28.

    Petitioner Yusuff, who claims to be a practising advocate, had sought a direction to the NIA to provide him with a copy of the FIR lodged by the agency in Delhi on April 13, the documents listing the grounds of the arrest of each accused person and a copy of the remand applications filed by the NIA before the trial court.

    The petitioner said he was arrested around 3 AM on September 22 from his residence in Chennai by the NIA along with others, who all were picked up from different parts of the country and brought to the national capital in connection with the case lodged in Delhi.

    “At the time of his arrest, the respondent (NIA) did not communicate to the petitioner any particulars of the offence for which he has been arrested or any grounds of such arrest in clear violation of the statutory mandate provided under Section 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) read with Article 22(1) of the Constitution,” the plea submitted.

    ALSO READ | Delhi HC asks NIA to respond to plea for FIR copy lodged against alleged PFI members 

    It said when the accused were produced before a trial court here, their counsel sought a copy of the FIR lodged on September 22 as well as on September 26.

    However, the additional sessions judge (ASJ) rejected the application filed by the petitioner on the ground that the matter is of a sensitive nature and that providing a copy of the FIR will hamper the investigation, the petitioner submitted.

    It added Article 22(1) of the Constitution prohibits the detention of a person arrested and in custody without being informed of the grounds of such arrest.

    The plea said denial of a copy of the FIR, circumscribing the allegations and particulars of the offences against the accused persons, is a clear violation of the principles of natural justice and the accused person’s right to fair trial and investigation.

    The government banned the PFI and several of its associate organisations on September 28 for five years under the stringent anti-terror law UAPA, accusing them of having “links” with global terror groups like ISIS.

  • Government sets up tribunal to adjudicate PFI’s ban justified or not

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday set up a tribunal comprising Delhi High Court judge Dinesh Kumar Sharma to adjudicate whether sufficient grounds were available for declaring the Popular Front of India (PFI) and eight associate groups as unlawful.

    The Union home ministry issued a notification, announcing the formation of the tribunal.

    “The Central Government hereby constitutes an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal consisting of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, High Court of Delhi, for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the Popular Front of India and its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as unlawful association,” the notification said.

    Earlier, the Department of Justice in the law ministry had sent a communication conveying that Justice Sharma will head the tribunal.

    Once an organisation is banned under the UAPA, a tribunal is set up by the government to adjudicate whether there is sufficient ground for the decision.

    According to the procedure, the home ministry requests the law ministry to name a sitting judge of high court as presiding officer of the tribunal.

    The law minister then requests the chief justice of the high court concerned to recommend a judge to head the tribunal.

    The PFI and its associates were banned by the government for five years under the UAPA on September 28, accusing them of having “links” with global terror groups like the ISIS.

    Ban on these organisations followed a number of action against them and that include seizure of properties, freezing of bank accounts and complete prohibition of normal activities.

    The PFI was accused of multiple cases of violent protests in different parts of the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), alleged forced conversions, radicalisation of Muslim youths, money laundering and maintaining links with banned groups.

    It was also accused of cold blooded killings of persons associated with organisations espousing the other faiths, collection of explosives to target prominent people and places, support to Islamic State, and destruction of public property.

    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday set up a tribunal comprising Delhi High Court judge Dinesh Kumar Sharma to adjudicate whether sufficient grounds were available for declaring the Popular Front of India (PFI) and eight associate groups as unlawful.

    The Union home ministry issued a notification, announcing the formation of the tribunal.

    “The Central Government hereby constitutes an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal consisting of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, High Court of Delhi, for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the Popular Front of India and its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as unlawful association,” the notification said.

    Earlier, the Department of Justice in the law ministry had sent a communication conveying that Justice Sharma will head the tribunal.

    Once an organisation is banned under the UAPA, a tribunal is set up by the government to adjudicate whether there is sufficient ground for the decision.

    According to the procedure, the home ministry requests the law ministry to name a sitting judge of high court as presiding officer of the tribunal.

    The law minister then requests the chief justice of the high court concerned to recommend a judge to head the tribunal.

    The PFI and its associates were banned by the government for five years under the UAPA on September 28, accusing them of having “links” with global terror groups like the ISIS.

    Ban on these organisations followed a number of action against them and that include seizure of properties, freezing of bank accounts and complete prohibition of normal activities.

    The PFI was accused of multiple cases of violent protests in different parts of the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), alleged forced conversions, radicalisation of Muslim youths, money laundering and maintaining links with banned groups.

    It was also accused of cold blooded killings of persons associated with organisations espousing the other faiths, collection of explosives to target prominent people and places, support to Islamic State, and destruction of public property.

  • Mayawati links ban on PFI with upcoming assembly elections, accuses Centre of ‘political selfishness’

    By ANI

    LUCKNOW (Uttar Pradesh): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday lashed out at the Union government for banning the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates and linked the move with the upcoming assembly elections in several states.

    “Considering the nationwide ban of government on PFI and its eight affiliates as politically selfish and union appeasing move before the assembly election, there is more restlessness among the people than satisfaction,” Mayawati said in her tweet in Hindi.

    She further said, “this is the reason why the opposition is also angrily attacking the move by believing it a flaw in the government’s intentions and are openly demanding for a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) stating if PFI can be a threat for the country’s internal security, why other such organisations should not be banned?”

    Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday made the announcement through a notification declaring “the PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts as an unlawful association with immediate effect”.

    Along with PFI, the ban was also imposed on its fronts, including Rehab India Foundation (RIF). Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as an “unlawful association”.

    Opposing the move, the lone MLA from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in Bihar, Akhtarul Iman on Thursday, said that it is not fair to ban the outfit without proving its crime in a court of law.

    “It’s not fair to ban PFI without proving its crime in court,” Iman had said, adding that the PFI is a “political organisation”.

    Meanwhile, the Campus Front of India, the student wing of PFI termed the five-year ban as “undemocratic and anti-constitutional”, and said they would challenge the government’s move in Court.

    Issuing a statement against the ban, CFI tweeted on Wednesday, “Ban on Campus Front is Undemocratic and Anti-Constitutional; will be challenged in court. Stopped Activities in Accordance with Law”.

    On Wednesday, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the PFI ban and said, “Actions of some individuals who commit crime does not mean that the organisation itself must be banned.” 

    LUCKNOW (Uttar Pradesh): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday lashed out at the Union government for banning the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates and linked the move with the upcoming assembly elections in several states.

    “Considering the nationwide ban of government on PFI and its eight affiliates as politically selfish and union appeasing move before the assembly election, there is more restlessness among the people than satisfaction,” Mayawati said in her tweet in Hindi.

    She further said, “this is the reason why the opposition is also angrily attacking the move by believing it a flaw in the government’s intentions and are openly demanding for a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) stating if PFI can be a threat for the country’s internal security, why other such organisations should not be banned?”

    Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday made the announcement through a notification declaring “the PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts as an unlawful association with immediate effect”.

    Along with PFI, the ban was also imposed on its fronts, including Rehab India Foundation (RIF). Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as an “unlawful association”.

    Opposing the move, the lone MLA from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in Bihar, Akhtarul Iman on Thursday, said that it is not fair to ban the outfit without proving its crime in a court of law.

    “It’s not fair to ban PFI without proving its crime in court,” Iman had said, adding that the PFI is a “political organisation”.

    Meanwhile, the Campus Front of India, the student wing of PFI termed the five-year ban as “undemocratic and anti-constitutional”, and said they would challenge the government’s move in Court.

    Issuing a statement against the ban, CFI tweeted on Wednesday, “Ban on Campus Front is Undemocratic and Anti-Constitutional; will be challenged in court. Stopped Activities in Accordance with Law”.

    On Wednesday, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the PFI ban and said, “Actions of some individuals who commit crime does not mean that the organisation itself must be banned.” 

  • Kerala BJP welcomes ban, demands resignation of LDF Minister over alleged links with PFI

    By Express News Service

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Welcoming the ban on Popular Front of India (PFI), BJP has demanded the expulsion of state Ports Minister Ahammed Devarkovil from the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet and his party Indian National League (INL) from the ruling LDF alliance for alleged links with Rehab Foundation that was also banned for its links to PFI. 

    BJP state president K Surendran told reporters here on Wednesday that the ban on PFI as “right” and “timely” and added it was a mark of respect for those who have been martyred by the radical outfit. He said the PFI could carry out subversive activities in the state only with the blessings of both LDF and UDF. 

    “Mohammad Sulaiman, a top leader of INL, is also at the helm of Rehab Foundation, one of the organisations that was banned for terror funding in the country. Ports Minister and INL national secretary Ahammed Devarkovil too has close links with Rehab Foundation,” Surendran alleged. 

    The BJP leader wondered how Daverkovil, who has links with such an outfit could continue as a member of the state cabinet and leader of the LDF constituent party. “If the LDF has some concern about unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country, it should expel Devarkovil from the cabinet and INL from the Left front. The government cannot rule in alliance with an organisation that supports anti-national activities,” he said. 

    Surendran termed demands of some Congress leaders to also impose a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as “childish”. He said such a demand would only help the PFI.

    The BJP leader also urged the LDF and the UDF to end the practice of ruling local bodies in the state with the support of PFI and its political arm the Social Democratic Party of Inda (SDPI)   

    “The Congress and the CPM are solely responsible for giving the political acceptability to the PFI and SDPI that they do not enjoy in any other state,” he alleged. 

    Union Minister and senior BJP leader V Muraleedharan too welcomed the ban on PFI. “Banning PFI reiterates the fact that Narendra Modi government acts tough on forces aiming to disrupt peace and nation’s stability. Narendra Modi government is ensuring integrity, sovereignty and security of the country.  The whole nation welcomes this decision.” he tweeted. 

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Welcoming the ban on Popular Front of India (PFI), BJP has demanded the expulsion of state Ports Minister Ahammed Devarkovil from the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet and his party Indian National League (INL) from the ruling LDF alliance for alleged links with Rehab Foundation that was also banned for its links to PFI. 

    BJP state president K Surendran told reporters here on Wednesday that the ban on PFI as “right” and “timely” and added it was a mark of respect for those who have been martyred by the radical outfit. He said the PFI could carry out subversive activities in the state only with the blessings of both LDF and UDF. 

    “Mohammad Sulaiman, a top leader of INL, is also at the helm of Rehab Foundation, one of the organisations that was banned for terror funding in the country. Ports Minister and INL national secretary Ahammed Devarkovil too has close links with Rehab Foundation,” Surendran alleged. 

    The BJP leader wondered how Daverkovil, who has links with such an outfit could continue as a member of the state cabinet and leader of the LDF constituent party. “If the LDF has some concern about unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country, it should expel Devarkovil from the cabinet and INL from the Left front. The government cannot rule in alliance with an organisation that supports anti-national activities,” he said. 

    Surendran termed demands of some Congress leaders to also impose a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as “childish”. He said such a demand would only help the PFI.

    The BJP leader also urged the LDF and the UDF to end the practice of ruling local bodies in the state with the support of PFI and its political arm the Social Democratic Party of Inda (SDPI)   

    “The Congress and the CPM are solely responsible for giving the political acceptability to the PFI and SDPI that they do not enjoy in any other state,” he alleged. 

    Union Minister and senior BJP leader V Muraleedharan too welcomed the ban on PFI. “Banning PFI reiterates the fact that Narendra Modi government acts tough on forces aiming to disrupt peace and nation’s stability. Narendra Modi government is ensuring integrity, sovereignty and security of the country.  The whole nation welcomes this decision.” he tweeted. 

  • PFI protest slogan video: Pune police takes U-turn, says sedition charge not invoked

    By PTI

    PUNE: In a U-turn, the Pune police on Sunday evening denied adding the sedition charge in connection with a case against the Popular Front of India (PFI) activists and the alleged raising of pro-Pakistan slogans during a protest organised here by the outfit.

    Earlier, senior inspector Pratap Mankar of the Bundgarden police station, where the case has been registered, said section 124A (punishment for sedition) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been added in the case, but the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II) Sagar Patil later made it clear that the charge has not been slapped.

    Police had registered the case against 60-70 suspected PFI activists for unlawful assembly in connection with the protest held outside the district collector’s office on Friday.

    Mankar said the police have added IPC sections 124A (sedition), 109 (act committed in conse­quence of abetment), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 153 A and B (promoting enmity between different groups) in the First Information Report (FIR).

    However, DCP Patil later said, “We did not add section 124A in the case. The Supreme Court order says this section cannot be invoked as one case pertaining to this is already going on in the court.”

    The apex court had in May put on hold the colonial-era penal law on sedition till an “appropriate” government forum re-examines it and directed the Centre and states not to register any fresh FIR invoking the offence.

    A video had surfaced on social media, which purportedly shows that the “Pakistan Zindabad” slogan was raised a couple of times when the agitating PFI activists were being bundled into a police vehicle on Friday.

    The protest was organised against the recent nationwide raids on the outfit and the arrest of its activists. During the protest, the police detained around 40 protesters.

    Patil said earlier in the day that some videos were circulating on social media and a thorough investigation was being conducted.

    “The videos which were available on social media will be sent for forensic investigation and we will take strict action,” he said.

    Earlier on Sunday, Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the Pune police commissioner to slap the sedition charge.

    “We do not support such slogans. The anti-India slogans will not be tolerated in the state as well as in the country. I have instructed the Pune police commissioner to file a case invoking sedition in the matter,” he told reporters in Pune.

    The raising of controversial slogans had led to a huge outrage, with leaders from BJP and MNS demanding stringent action. Congress had demanded a ban on organisations like PFI.

    In a massive crackdown on the PFI, multi-agency teams spearheaded by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had, on Thursday, arrested 106 leaders and activists of the radical Islamic outfit in near-simultaneous raids in 15 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country.

    Maharashtra and Karnataka accounted for 20 arrests each, Tamil Nadu (10), Assam (9), Uttar Pradesh (8), Andhra Pradesh (5), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry and Delhi (3 each) and Rajasthan (2).

    PUNE: In a U-turn, the Pune police on Sunday evening denied adding the sedition charge in connection with a case against the Popular Front of India (PFI) activists and the alleged raising of pro-Pakistan slogans during a protest organised here by the outfit.

    Earlier, senior inspector Pratap Mankar of the Bundgarden police station, where the case has been registered, said section 124A (punishment for sedition) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been added in the case, but the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II) Sagar Patil later made it clear that the charge has not been slapped.

    Police had registered the case against 60-70 suspected PFI activists for unlawful assembly in connection with the protest held outside the district collector’s office on Friday.

    Mankar said the police have added IPC sections 124A (sedition), 109 (act committed in conse­quence of abetment), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 153 A and B (promoting enmity between different groups) in the First Information Report (FIR).

    However, DCP Patil later said, “We did not add section 124A in the case. The Supreme Court order says this section cannot be invoked as one case pertaining to this is already going on in the court.”

    The apex court had in May put on hold the colonial-era penal law on sedition till an “appropriate” government forum re-examines it and directed the Centre and states not to register any fresh FIR invoking the offence.

    A video had surfaced on social media, which purportedly shows that the “Pakistan Zindabad” slogan was raised a couple of times when the agitating PFI activists were being bundled into a police vehicle on Friday.

    The protest was organised against the recent nationwide raids on the outfit and the arrest of its activists. During the protest, the police detained around 40 protesters.

    Patil said earlier in the day that some videos were circulating on social media and a thorough investigation was being conducted.

    “The videos which were available on social media will be sent for forensic investigation and we will take strict action,” he said.

    Earlier on Sunday, Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the Pune police commissioner to slap the sedition charge.

    “We do not support such slogans. The anti-India slogans will not be tolerated in the state as well as in the country. I have instructed the Pune police commissioner to file a case invoking sedition in the matter,” he told reporters in Pune.

    The raising of controversial slogans had led to a huge outrage, with leaders from BJP and MNS demanding stringent action. Congress had demanded a ban on organisations like PFI.

    In a massive crackdown on the PFI, multi-agency teams spearheaded by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had, on Thursday, arrested 106 leaders and activists of the radical Islamic outfit in near-simultaneous raids in 15 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country.

    Maharashtra and Karnataka accounted for 20 arrests each, Tamil Nadu (10), Assam (9), Uttar Pradesh (8), Andhra Pradesh (5), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry and Delhi (3 each) and Rajasthan (2).

  • PFI spreads ‘disaffection’ against India: NIA report

    The report, which was submitted on September 22, also claims that the outfit had conspired to establish Islamic rule in India by committing terrorist acts as a part of violent jihad.

  • PFI got ‘concealed’ foreign funds through members based abroad: ED 

    The federal agency on Thursday arrested four members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) during the raids, led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

  • Five PFI members sent to Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad custody for five days 

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: A court here on Thursday remanded five activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) in the custody of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad till September 26.

    They are accused of indulging in `unlawful activities promoting enmity among communities’ and `waging a war against the country’.

    The ATS arrested a total of 20 PFI activists from various places in the state on Thursday as part of the nation-wide multi-agency operation led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

    Five of them were produced before a court here with the ATS seeking their custody for 14 days.

    The court, however, remanded them in the probe agency’s custody for five days.

    A total of 106 PFI activists were arrested on Thursday in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country.

    In Maharashtra, raids were conducted by ATS teams in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Aurangabad, Pune, Kolhapur, Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Malegaon (in Nashik district) and Jalgaon, an official said.

    The anti-terror agency registered offences in Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad and Nanded under Indian Penal Code sections including 153-A (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 121A (conspiring to commit certain offences against the State) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), and provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

    MUMBAI: A court here on Thursday remanded five activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) in the custody of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad till September 26.

    They are accused of indulging in `unlawful activities promoting enmity among communities’ and `waging a war against the country’.

    The ATS arrested a total of 20 PFI activists from various places in the state on Thursday as part of the nation-wide multi-agency operation led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

    Five of them were produced before a court here with the ATS seeking their custody for 14 days.

    The court, however, remanded them in the probe agency’s custody for five days.

    A total of 106 PFI activists were arrested on Thursday in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country.

    In Maharashtra, raids were conducted by ATS teams in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Aurangabad, Pune, Kolhapur, Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Malegaon (in Nashik district) and Jalgaon, an official said.

    The anti-terror agency registered offences in Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad and Nanded under Indian Penal Code sections including 153-A (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 121A (conspiring to commit certain offences against the State) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), and provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).