ED conducts searches across 10 States in PFI case, days after arrest of SDPI chief M.K. Faizy

Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), founded in 2009 and headquartered in Delhi, is alleged to be the ‘political front’ of the PFI, which was banned by the Union government in September 2022

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting searches at 12 locations across 10 States in connection with the case against banned terror outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), days after the arrest of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) national president M.K. Faizy on money laundering charge.

Also read | ED raids SDPI office at Malappuram in Kerala

The searches are being carried out at two locations in Delhi, including SDP Headquarters; Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram, Kerala; Bengaluru, Karnataka; Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh; Thane, Maharashtra; Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Pakur, Jharkhand; Kolkata, West Bengal; Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh; and Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Mr. Faizy is currently in the ED custody. He was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday. Earlier, after recording his statements in January 2024, the agency had summoned him multiple time till February 2025. However, he did not appear before the investigating team.

The ED has accused SDPI of being a “political front” of PFI. “As the national president, M.K. Faizy exercised authority and control over the activities of SDPI, which is a recipient, beneficiary, and user of Proceeds of Crime i.e. funds raised by PFI within and outside India as a part of larger criminal conspiracy, knowing fully well that PFI is engaged in the fund-raising activities as a part of a deep-rooted criminal conspiracy to raise and use such funds in various unlawful violent and terrorist activities in India,” it said.

The agency has till date quantified the amount with respect to SDPI as ₹4.07 crore. The ED probe against PFI and others is based on two cases registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), apart from the First Information Reports (FIRs) instituted by the other law enforcement agencies.

It is alleged that the PFI office-bearers, members, and cadre raised/collected funds from India and abroad (Gulf countries) through banking or “hawala” channels, as part of a conspiracy to commit or finance terror activities across the country. The agency has also alleged that SDPI was a “front” of PFI having common members/cadre and leaders and that SDPI was “dependent” on PFI for its day-to-day functions, policy making, selecting candidates for elections, cadre mobilisation, and other related activities.

A seized document provided “insight into the true objectives of the PFI, describing it as an organisation committed to advancing an Islamic movement in India by endorsing the principles of Jihad in all forms...to achieve these goals, PFI has established SDPI...and several front organisations”, the agency has alleged.

In the PFI case, the ED has so far attached assets worth ₹61.72 crore, filed nine prosecution complaints (charge sheets), and arrested 26 office bearers/members/cadre of PFI. Among them are its chairman, general secretary, and members of its national/State executive councils.

The agency has found that PFI purportedly received over ₹62 crore in its 29 accounts between May 2009 and May 2022, with more than half the sum being deposited in cash. The outfit had thousands of active members in Gulf countries, through whom it raised funds in various ways, including in the form of donations.

Two overseas organisations named “Indian Fraternity Front” in relation to PFI and Indian Social Forum pertaining to SDPI, are also under the scanner in this regard.

Published - March 06, 2025 11:35 am IST