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NEW DELHI: In an attempt to seal the finances of banned Popular Front of India (PFI), the ED on November 6 attached properties worth Rs 67 crore of various trusts associated with the outfit and its political front, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). The attached properties are mostly located across Kerala. The total value of properties attached in the case so far is Rs 129 crore. The top brass of PFI is being investigated by NIA and ED for its role in sponsoring terror activities, particularly after it was found operating a terror training camp in Kerala’s Narath, for which a special NIA court convicted 21 of its activists in 2016. “The history of origin of PFI can be traced back to the ban of Jamaat-e-Islami after demolition of Babri Masjid… At that time, properties of Jamaat-e-Islami were sealed under UA(P)A. Taking inspiration from these developments, PFI members who were part of National Development Front at that time, formed various trusts across Kerala and registered various properties owned and controlled by PFI under them,” ED said. ED has arrested 28 top members of PFI so far during its money laundering investigation.A money trail revealed the outfit was engaged in collection of huge funds in India and in Gulf countries. The overseas funding was channeled through hawala and deposited in cash in various bank accounts of the outfit and associated entities. “The proceeds were used to carry out terrorist activities in India to achieve the goal of forming an ‘Islamic Nation of India’, jeopardising our secular fabric and disrupting the unity and integrity of the nation,” the ED said, while releasing details of fresh attachments worth Rs 67 crore.
