New Delhi, Nov 8 (UNI) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) said it has attached eight more immovable properties valued at Rs 67.03 crore beneficially owned and controlled by the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI).
The properties were held in the name of various trusts and that of its political front, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI).
The anti-money laundering agency had initiated probe against PFI and others under PMLA, 2002 on the basis of FIR registered by NIA, along with various FIRs registered by other law enforcement agencies against the outfit.
According to officials, the investigation revealed that the office-bearers, members and cadres of Popular Front of India (PFI), were allegedly conspiring and raising funds from within India and abroad through banking channels and hawala donations, committing and financing terrorist acts across the country.
The probe revealed that SDPI is a political front of PFI and it used to control, fund and supervise the activities of SDPI.
The federal agency’s probe revealed that SDPI was majorly dependent on PFI for its day-to-day functions, policy making, selecting candidates for elections, public programmes, cadre mobilization and other related activities.
Investigation has also revealed that the expenses made by PFI for and on behalf of SDPI, were maintained in the diaries secretly, and not reflected in the bank accounts of PFI.
Funds have been collected extensively by PFI and SDPI from foreign countries mainly Gulf countries and also locally in the garb of relief and social activities.
The funds were being utilised for advancing criminal conspiracy aimed to carry out violent and terror activities in India, and to allegedly jeopardise the secular fabric.
So far, the probe by the ED has led to the quantification of the proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 131 crore.
Till now, 28 leaders, members and cadres of PFI have been arrested by the anti- money laundering agency, and multiple prosecution complaints have been filed before the courts.
During the course of investigation, ED identified multiple properties beneficially owned and controlled by PFI, and it was also revealed that PFI ideologues were ex- members of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).
Earlier, searches by ED led to seizure of multiple records maintained by PFI which has detailed records pertaining to the properties under scrutiny are being maintained at various locations, indicating systematic documentation and control.
The said properties have been found registered in the names of different trusts and individuals associated with the PFI.
Seized records also revealed that PFI conducted multiple PE (physical education) training programmes and built sheds on various properties.
The PFI was conducting extensive physical education classes on the properties registered under dummy owners’ names for imparting offensive and defensive manoeuvres using various arms through primary and secondary PE classes.
