The four members of the Popular Front of India (PFI), arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday, were “secretly conspiring” to disrupt “public order” in the national capital, according to the FIR. The PFI was banned in India for five years by the central government last month for its alleged links with terror groups.
The accused are identified as Mohammad Shoaib, Habib Asgar Jamali, Abdul Rabb and Warish. They were arrested from Shaheen Bagh by a special team constituted by the South East district police.
The police sources said the police had got secret information that some persons in the national capital were still trying to disrupt the peace and were holding secret meetings in Shaheen Bagh. Subsequently, on September 29 a special team was constituted by the Delhi Police which conducted raids and nabbed these four persons.
They are booked under section 120B and 153A of the IPC and provisions of UA(P) Act at Shaheen Bagh police station.
The FIR, a copy of which is with The New Indian, says the Government of India, via gazette notification dated September 27, had declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AllC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as unlawful with immediate effect.
The Delhi Police Commissioner on September 29 declared that some addresses – 1) F-30/1 Ground Floor, Zaid Apartment, near Royal Hotel, Shaheen Bagh, Delhi, 2) N-44/A-1, Hilal House, Ground Floor, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, Delhi and 3) B-27/2, 3rd Floor, Thokkar No-7. Jamia Nagar, Delhi – are being used for the purposes of carrying out unlawful activities of the PFI and its affiliates.
“Even after the above said proscription and notification, reliable information has been received that certain leaders, members and associates of the above referred unlawful associations, in continuation of their unlawful activities, are secretly conspiring to disrupt public order with the ultimate objective of targeting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India,” reads the FIR.
The FIR also states the leaders, members and associates of the PFI were, in continuation of their unlawful activities, conspiring further to cause massive disruption of public order by promoting communal enmity. For this purpose, they were mobilizing supporters to spread incitement at various places, including the declared and notified premises mentioned above and certain places of worship.
“In order to unearth the entire conspiracy, to prevent any deterioration of public order and to curb the intended unlawful activities by the leaders, members and associates of the said proscribed organization/s, it is imperative that a FIR be lodged and formal investigation be taken up,” said the police.