The NIA searches were conducted at the premises of suspects in Katihar district of Bihar; Dakshina Kannada, and Shimoga districts of Karnataka; and Kasaragod, Malappuram, Kozhikode & Thiruvananthapuram districts of Kerala

New Delhi, June 1

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided 25 locations in three states in connection with the Popular Front of India (PFI) conspiracy to radicalise and train its cadres and members for carrying out acts of terror and violence. 

The NIA searches were conducted at the premises of suspects in Katihar district of Bihar; Dakshina Kannada, and Shimoga districts of Karnataka; and Kasaragod, Malappuram, Kozhikode & Thiruvananthapuram districts of Kerala.  

A slew of digital devices, including  mobile phones, hard disk, SIM cards, pen-drives, data cards, etc, incriminating documents and materials related to the banned organisation were seized during the raids. Indian currency of the face value of Rs. 17,50,100/- has also been seized, officials said. 

A total of 85 locations have been raided during investigations of the case, officials said. 

Acting on a tip-off, Bihar police had carried out a raid at the rented premises of one Athar Parvez on 11th July 2022, and had seized incriminating articles related to PFI including  a document titled “India 2047 Towards Rule of Islamic India, Internal Document: Not for circulation”.

Athar Parvej was arrested, along with other accused, identified as Md. Jalaluddin Khan, Arman Malick and Nooruddin Zangi. A chargesheet was filed by NIA against these four on 7th January 2023. Ten others were later arrested for promoting the unlawful and anti-national activities of PFI and channelising illegal funds from abroad to the PFI members/accused persons in the instant case.

In the course of its investigation, NIA also found that multiple channels were being operated on popular video platforms by persons suspected to be associated with PFI. These channels were distributing content aimed at inciting communal  violence and terror in India. The suspects, having international links, were also indulging in propagation of PFI ideology using social media.

 The agency is further investigating the case.