NIA court has framed charges against banned organization PFI and 20 members including its founder Abubakar in the terrorism case. There are many serious allegations against him under waging war against the country, terror funding and UAPA. Now trial will go on in this case.
New Delhi [भारत]July 11 (ANI): A special NIA court at Patiala House Court Complex on Saturday formally framed charges against 20 members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), including its founding president Irappungal Abubakar, and the organization itself in a terror case. The court has listed the case for trial.
On June 5, the NIA court had directed framing of charges against the banned PFI and 20 of its office-bearers, including founding chairman E. Abubakar and chairman OMA Salam, for criminal conspiracy, waging war against the country and other offenses under the UAPA, including raising funds for a terrorist organisation, conspiracy to commit terrorist activities, organizing terror camps and recruiting for terrorist activities. These accused were arrested during the nationwide crackdown on PFI in September 2022.
Special NIA judge Prashant Sharma formally framed charges against 20 accused and PFI. The accused denied the charges and demanded a trial. The court has listed the case for trial and the NIA will present evidence from July 29.
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Rahul Tyagi, Assistant Public Prosecutors Jatin Khatri and Amit Rohilla appeared on behalf of the NIA. Meanwhile, senior advocates S Balan, A Naufal and Saipan Dastagir appeared on behalf of the accused.
These PFI leaders were arrested by the NIA in a nationwide crackdown in September 2022. This action was taken after the Central Government declared PFI an unlawful organization.
Conspiracy to establish Islamic Caliphate by 2047
The court had on June 5 said, “On a combined view of the material on record, it raises serious suspicion that the accused, acting through and on behalf of the Popular Front of India and its National Executive Council (NEC), conspired and acted in a common conspiracy to overthrow the secular democratic government of India and establish an Islamic Caliphate under Sharia law in India through armed struggle against the State by or before the year 2047.”
NIA investigation and allegations
NIA, in compliance with the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, directing the investigation to be handed over to the National Investigation Agency, under sections 120-B and 153-A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and sections 17, 18, 18-B, 20, 22-B, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, in New Delhi on April 13, 2022. An FIR was lodged for punishable offences.
The investigating agency had arrested many top leaders of PFI. After completion of investigation, charge sheet and supplementary charge sheet were filed.
It is alleged that PFI and its leaders were planning to overthrow the government. It is also alleged that the accused persons were radicalizing youth and promoting enmity between communities, and senior RSS leaders were on the hit list. (ANI)
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