NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate searches on the leaders of Popular Front of India (PFI) at multiple premises in Kerala has revealed money laundering activities through investments in real estate projects in hill station Munnar and restaurants and bars in the UAE, the agency has said.
On Wednesday, ED conducted searches at four premises related to office bearers of PFI in Kerala, including the residences of Shafeeque Payeth, a PFI member based in Kannur, Abdul Razak BP, PFI divisional president of Perumpadappu at Malappuram, Ashraf M K at Muvattapuzah in Ernakulam and the office premises of Munnar Villa Vista Project at Mankulam in Munnar.
“The seized documents indicate the money laundering activities of PFI through various projects in Kerala, including the Munnar Villa Vista project which is being built by the PFI leaders to launder proceeds of crime generated in India and abroad,” the ED said in a press release on Saturday.
The agency further said its investigation from the seized documents have revealed acquisition of foreign properties by PFI leaders, including a bar and restaurant in Abu Dhabi. TOI sought comments from PFI’s senior leader Prof P Koya who refused to comment on the searches and ED claims. The ED has accused PFI leaders of an attempt to “disrupt the search operations”. The ED officers, assisted by a contingent of CRPF, conducted the search operations successfully and seized incriminating documents, digital devices and evidence related to foreign funding and acquisition of properties abroad, the ED said.
Last year, after a series of raids on the organisation and its functionaries, the agency had questioned top office bearers at ED headquarters in Delhi. The interrogation included Parvez Ahmed, PFI’s Delhi unit president, Shahid Abookacker, trustee of its Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Abdul Muqeet, PFI Delhi secretary, Remiz Muhammed, general secretary of RIF, Anis Ahmed, national secretary of PFI, Afsel Chandrankandy, secretary of RIF and KP Jaseer, PFI’s national headquarter accountant.
Both PFI and RIF are also under scanner for alleged funding of anti-CAA protests in Delhi and Aligarh and in other parts of UP.
