Arrested PFI leaders remanded to NIA custody

KOCHI:THE special NIA court on Saturday sent 11 leaders of Popular Front of India (PFI) who were among those arrested in a country-wide joint raid by National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), into 7-day custody.

In the remand request report, ni a level led serious charges of ploting to murder VIPS against the PFI, ‘which had prepared hit list targeting prominent political leaders, evidentiary documents of which were seized from the party offices in day-long raids on Thursday.’ The custody request also claims PFI tried to bring Islamic rule in India. The court also reprimanded the accused for sh outing slogans inside the court premises. The investigation agency has filed the remand reports of 10 of the 19 PFI leaders arrested from Kerala, in the court.

The report also alleged that the accused had tried to encourage youth to join terrorist oufits including Lashkar-e-taiba, Al-qaeda, Daesh, and propagated false information on the government’s policies and engaged in terrorist activities.

The accused misused social media plaforms and exchanged confidential information to create enmity between different groups.

The investigation team informed the court that if the accused are released on bail, they may destroy evidence and influence the witnesses.

The remand report submited in the court in New Delhi on Saturday said that PFI tried to atack Prime Minister Modi on July 12 in a rally in Patna.

The remand copies further revealed that the PFI was also ‘organising training camp with an intent to cause disturbance during Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Patna visit on July 12, 2022.’

The oufit is also charged of ‘preparing, printing and possessing incriminating literature having potential to pose threat to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation.’

“As many as 12 cases against PFI and its related entities and individuals have been investigated by the NIA and charge sheets have been filed... Investigations have further established the criminal conspiracy of PFI in raising and collecting funds through unknown and suspicious sources from within the country as well as abroad and the subsequent transfer, layering and integration of such funds for eventual use in their continuous unlawful activities,” remand request said.