The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached eight more properties worth ₹67.03 crore, alleged to be beneficially owned and controlled by the banned Popular Front of India (PFI). The agency has so far arrested 28 persons in the case.
The attached assets are linked to Green Valley Foundation, Alappuzha Social Cultural & Education Trust, Pandalam Educational and Cultural Trust (Pathanamthitta), Islamic Centre Trust (Wayanad), Haritham Foundation (Malappuram), Periyar Valley Charitable Trust (Aluva), Vallavunad Trust (Palakkad), and a land of PFI’s “political front” — Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) — in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, an official said.
Watch | What is the Popular Front of India and why has it been controversial?
The ED had earlier attached assets worth ₹61.98 crore through nine orders, which have been confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), now taking the valuation of total attachments to ₹129 crore. They include 61 immovable properties, 24 bank accounts of PFI, 19 of SDPI, 15 of Multiflor Builders, seven of Rehab India Foundation, and three of key accused K.A. Rauf Sherif.
The PMLA probe is based on the cases registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other agencies. As alleged, the office-bearers, members, and cadre of PFI were conspiring and raising funds as part of a “conspiracy to carry out violent and terrorist activities in India to achieve the goal of forming an Islamic nation of India”, the agency alleged.
