- By Abhishek Sheoran
- Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:50 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out a broad search operation at 20 locations across the country in its ongoing investigation of cases linked with the Popular Front of India (PFI), news agency ANI reported.
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During the operation, a large cache of crucial evidence was found by the agency. It confiscated several digital devices, including laptops, mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards, pen-drives, and hard discs. Besides, several incriminating documents were also recovered in the raids, ANI quoted the agency as saying.
In connection with the ongoing cases, NIA seized Indian currency with a face value of Rs. 8.5 lakhs.
As of Uttar Pradesh, NIA carried out extensive raids in Lucknow, Siddharth Nagar, Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi), Kanpur, and Gorakhpur in several cases linked to the banned outfit and their alleged involvement in unlawful and anti-national activities, according to senior NIA officials.
As per the investigative agency, over 1,400 criminal cases were registered against the leaders of the now-banned outfit across the country. Several PFI leaders and members were allegedly previously affiliated to the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), which was banned in 2001, an official told.
NIA in August conducted a series of raids to foil PFI’s conspiracy to destabilise communal harmony in the country.
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An agency spokesperson said PFI was trying to create an armed cadre and raise a PFI Army for establishing an Islamic caliphate in India by 2047 through acts of terror, violence and sabotage.
A case was registered against the banned outfit last year by NIA and the agency arrested several top leaders of the organisation, including a dozen National Executive Council members. Thereafter, probe agency filed a chargesheet against PFI and its 19 members.
