NIA CONDUCTS MULTI-LOCATION SEARCHES ACROSS INDIA IN PFI-RELATED UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES CASE

New Delhi, 11th October, 2023: National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out extensive search operations at twenty different locations across the country. These searches were carried out at premises in various regions, including Fazalpur, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla, and Chandni Chowk in Delhi; Bhopal district in Madhya Pradesh; Thane and Mumbai in Maharashtra; Tonk and Gangapur City districts in Rajasthan; and in the regions of Lucknow, Siddharth Nagar, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, searches were conducted in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

These operation are part of an ongoing investigations in cases linked with the Popular Front of India (PFI), and their involvement in unlawful and anti-national activities.

During the searches, substantial cache of crucial evidence in the ongoing case was found. This evidence includes various digital devices such as laptops, mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards, pen-drives, and hard discs. Furthermore, incriminating documents have been recovered during the operations.

Additionally, a significant amount of Indian currency, with a face value of Rs. 8.5 lakhs, has been seized in connection with the instant case.

The case initially recorded as FIR No 827/2022, dated 12.07.2022, at Phulwarisharif Police Station, District Patna, Bihar. Following its investigation, the NIA re-registered this case on 22.07.2022 (RC-31/2022/NIA/DLI).

The core allegation of this case centers around the gathering of individuals with suspicious intent in the Phulwarisharif area of Patna.

On 11.07.2022, at approximately 1930 hrs, a raid was executed by the officers of Phulwarisharif Police Station, based on confidential information. This operation targeted the rented residence of Athar Parvez, culminating in the discovery of incriminating materials closely associated with the Popular Front of India (PFI). Notably, a document titled “India 2047 Towards Rule of Islam in India, Internal Document: Not for circulation” was among the findings.

The investigation lead to the apprehension of several suspects at the initial stages. The accused in this case, namely Athar Parvej, Md. Jalaluddin Khan, Nooruddin Zangi @ Advocate Nooruddin, and Arman Malick @ Imteyaz Anwer, were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in this matter.

To date, NIA has submitted three Chargesheets against a total of 13 suspects in this case. During the course of investigations, a total of 17 accused persons have been taken into custody. They are alleged to have been actively involved in furthering the unlawful activities of PFI, including the illicit funneling of funds from overseas to the PFI members and suspects in this case.

Previously, the NIA conducted multiple searches in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala in order to collect evidence against the accused persons and suspects in the present case.

During the ongoing investigations, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended Anwar Rashid, a former member of the banned organization Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Anwar Rashid’s arrest is linked to his involvement in a criminal conspiracy, alongside FIR-named suspects Athar Parvej, Manjar Parvej, and others, all working towards advancing the agenda of the Popular Front of India (PFI). Their aim has been the pursuit and establishment of an Islamic Rule in India by the year 2047.

Following the ban on SIMI, its members, including Anwar Rashid, were associated with Wahadat-e-Islami, an organization formed by former SIMI members, and continued to promote the ideology of Islamic rule in India.

The Investigations revealed that accused Anwar Rashid, in his association with a Publication house was involved in the supply of material for promoting the ideology of the PFI, specifically the establishment of Islamic Rule in India.

The investigation in this case continues.