NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted searches at 16 locations spread over four states in a case relating to anti-India activities of the outlawed Popular Front of India (PFI) in Bihar, including imparting of arms training to its cadres in Phulwarisharif, Patna.
The searches were conducted by NIA teams across premises of 16 suspected persons in Siwan, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Katihar, Araria, Purnea and East Champaran districts of Bihar; South Goa district of Goa; Rampur & Bhadohi districts of Uttar Pradesh; and Ludhiana district of Punjab.
Several digital devices along with details of bank transactions, incriminating documents and Indian currency worth Rs 1 lakh were seized during the raids.
An NIA statement said further investigations are on to expose the connection between the 13 arrested accused and the 16 persons linked to the premises searched on Tuesday.
Thirteen persons have so far been arrested in the case related to training of PFI cadre in Phulwarisharif, Patna on July 6 and 7, 2022, along with certain other suspects. A total of 60 locations have been searched for collecting credible evidence in the case.
The PFI-related case in Bihar was initially registered by Bihar police at Phulwarisharif police station in Patna, and re-registered by NIA on July 22, 2022. The agency filed a chargesheet against four accused persons on January 7, 2023.
Investigations have revealed that the accused, along with other suspects, were operating from the rented premises in Phulwarisharif for carrying out criminal activities on behalf of the PFI. A criminal conspiracy was hatched with an intention to carry out acts of terror and violence, leading to an atmosphere of terror and endangering the unity and integrity of the nation. In furtherance of their conspiracy, the accused arranged rented accommodation in Ahmad Palace, Phulwarisharif, (Patna) and used its premises for imparting training in commission of acts of violence, and holding criminal conspiracy meetings. The accused also collected funds, recruited members, organized weapons training and encouraged its members to establish Islamic Rule in India.
It was during raids in the Bihar PFI case that NIA had stumbled upon its vision document titled тАШIndia 2047: Establishing Rule of Islam in IndiaтАЩ. As per the document, there would be four stages of progression towards Islamic rule тАФ uniting Muslims and providing weapons training to PFI cadres; selective use of violence to demonstrate strength and terrorise opponents; alliances with SCs/STs/OBCs to divide Hindus for political gains; and infiltrating the police, Army and judiciary.
NIA suspects that even after a ban was slapped on PFI under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, its cadres continued to be involved in тАЬpromoting the outfitтАЩs ideology and its nefarious, unlawful and anti-national activities,тАЭ said NIA.
The searches were conducted by NIA teams across premises of 16 suspected persons in Siwan, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Katihar, Araria, Purnea and East Champaran districts of Bihar; South Goa district of Goa; Rampur & Bhadohi districts of Uttar Pradesh; and Ludhiana district of Punjab.
Several digital devices along with details of bank transactions, incriminating documents and Indian currency worth Rs 1 lakh were seized during the raids.
An NIA statement said further investigations are on to expose the connection between the 13 arrested accused and the 16 persons linked to the premises searched on Tuesday.
Thirteen persons have so far been arrested in the case related to training of PFI cadre in Phulwarisharif, Patna on July 6 and 7, 2022, along with certain other suspects. A total of 60 locations have been searched for collecting credible evidence in the case.
The PFI-related case in Bihar was initially registered by Bihar police at Phulwarisharif police station in Patna, and re-registered by NIA on July 22, 2022. The agency filed a chargesheet against four accused persons on January 7, 2023.
Investigations have revealed that the accused, along with other suspects, were operating from the rented premises in Phulwarisharif for carrying out criminal activities on behalf of the PFI. A criminal conspiracy was hatched with an intention to carry out acts of terror and violence, leading to an atmosphere of terror and endangering the unity and integrity of the nation. In furtherance of their conspiracy, the accused arranged rented accommodation in Ahmad Palace, Phulwarisharif, (Patna) and used its premises for imparting training in commission of acts of violence, and holding criminal conspiracy meetings. The accused also collected funds, recruited members, organized weapons training and encouraged its members to establish Islamic Rule in India.
It was during raids in the Bihar PFI case that NIA had stumbled upon its vision document titled тАШIndia 2047: Establishing Rule of Islam in IndiaтАЩ. As per the document, there would be four stages of progression towards Islamic rule тАФ uniting Muslims and providing weapons training to PFI cadres; selective use of violence to demonstrate strength and terrorise opponents; alliances with SCs/STs/OBCs to divide Hindus for political gains; and infiltrating the police, Army and judiciary.
NIA suspects that even after a ban was slapped on PFI under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, its cadres continued to be involved in тАЬpromoting the outfitтАЩs ideology and its nefarious, unlawful and anti-national activities,тАЭ said NIA.
