The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple locations in Kerala against the Popular Front of India (PFI) as part of a money laundering probe.
The searches were carried out in Ernakulam and a few other locations. Central paramilitary personnel escorted the ED teams during the raids.
“Incriminating documents” were recovered during the searches by the agency as part of its probe that is related to various instances of funding of the Islamist outfit. Some people also gathered outside the premises that were being raided and raised slogans like “police go back,”, sources said.
The agency had on earlier occasions also carried out similar searches against the PFI, including its chief OM Abdul Salam and Kerala unit chief Nasarudheen Elamarom.
The outfit was formed in 2006 in Kerala and later shifted its headquarters to Delhi in 2008-09.
The Central probe agency has been investigating the PFI’s alleged “financial links” on charges of fuelling the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests in the country, the Delhi riots that took place in February last year and a few other instances.
The PFI is also under the scanner of the ED for alleged money laundering during the riots. The PFI is also facing another PMLA case for allegedly routing about Rs 120 crore to fuel anti-CAA riots in the country. The PFI claims to be working for the marginalised minorities and Dalits but has been allegedly indulging various inimical activities and is facing criminal probes from multiple agencies including the NIA.