NIA CONDUCTS SEARCHES AT 16 LOCATIONS IN 4 STATES IN PFI-LINKED BIHAR CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY CASE

*INCRIMINATING MATERIAL SEIZED IN CASE RELATED TO PFI TRAINING CAMP IN PHULWARISHARIF

New Delhi, The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted searches at 16 locations in four states in a 2022 anti-India criminal conspiracy case of Bihar, involving persons associated with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

A hoard of digital devices, alongwith bank transactions details, were seized during today’s searches, conducted at the premises of PFI suspects in the case relating to unlawful activities by the suspects. Incriminating documents related to PFI and Indian currency of the face value of Rs. 1,00,000/- were also seized.

As part of the operation, NIA teams swooped down on the premises of 16 suspected persons at multiple locations 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.

Thirteen persons have so far been arrested in the case related to training of PFI cadre in Phulwarisharif, Patna on 6th and 7th July, 2022, along with certain other suspects. A total of 60 locations have so far been searched for collecting credible evidence in the case, which was initially registered as FIR No 827/2022 dated 12th July 2022 at PS Phulwarisharif, District Patna, Bihar. The case was later re-registered by NIA on 22nd July 2022. The agency filed a Chargesheet against four accused persons on 7th January 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. They had also worked as Physical Education trainers for the recruited cadres of PFI. It is also suspected that even after the ban on Popular Front of India by the Government, its cadres continued to be involved in promoting the outfit’s ideology and its nefarious, unlawful and anti-national activities.

Further investigations in the case are in progress to expose the links between the 13 arrested accused and the 16 persons linked to the premises involved in today’s searches. Efforts are also being made to trace any other suspects who may be involved in the case.