A significant discovery has been revealed regarding the organization of Popular Front of India (PFI). Various agencies, including the ED, have found that the origins of PFI are widespread in multiple states of India and overseas. In addition to this, significant revelations have been made about where its funds originate from.
The inquiry into this organization commenced in 2022. The beginning of its series was in December 2020. Later, the ED detained KA Rauf Sheriff, who serves as the General Secretary of Campus Front of India. Following the arrest, numerous details about the PFI network were revealed. The organization is gathering donations in both India and other countries, then utilizing the funds for terrorist operations within the nation.
After a four-year investigation, numerous details have been uncovered in the report compiled by the ED. It has been reported that it holds members and has branches in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, and Manipur.
As per the ED report, there was a failed bid by the group to target PM Modi in July 2022. Following this, it was prohibited according to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. It boasts a membership of over 13,000 individuals in Singapore as well as five Gulf nations. Cash is taken from unidentified individuals here and transferred to India via the hawala system.
This cash was placed into 29 bank accounts belonging to trusts and related entities. Over the past few years, the Enforcement Directorate has apprehended 26 high-ranking officials of the Popular Front of India in India. Following that, their assets and financial accounts were confiscated. As per the ED dossier, PFI was involved in fueling unrest during the Delhi riots and in Hathras.
Some well-known individuals who have been arrested since 2020 are Rauf Sheriff, Shafiq Payeth – the national general secretary of CFI, a member of PFI in Qatar, Parvez Ahmed – the president of PFI in Delhi, and Sahul Hameed. Sahul Hameed has been involved in hawala transactions for PFI out of Singapore.
As per the agency’s report, a weapons training camp was discovered in Narath, located in the Kannur district of Kerala. PFI cadres were being trained in handling explosives and weapons during physical education classes.
Up to now, PFI and its partners have collected over Rs 94 crore. ED has stated that 35 properties totaling Rs 57 crore have been classified as illegal income. This organization is active in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It was discovered that it has the highest amount of money out of these locations.
ED believes that the true goal of PFI is to promote the Islamic movement in India by supporting Jihad. Nevertheless, PFI is portrayed as a social movement. Proof indicates that the demonstrations are being backed in a aggressive way. ED has reported that PFI received funds from countries in the Gulf region.