The central government has imposed a five-year ban on PFI.
Highlights
- People of PFI used different methods for funding.
- Funding of the organization was also done from the money earned from the liquor business.
- PFI members also sold used cars to Islamic State.
PFI Funding from Abroad: The Central Government has banned the Popular Front of India (PFI), an organization that is pushing Muslim youth towards radicalization. After this, many things are coming out about the working of this organization, from its funding. Meanwhile, the investigating agencies have come to know that this organization was collecting funds from India and abroad using different channels. PFI members abroad used to raise funds in the name of helping Haj pilgrims, by subscribing to their fake firms, by undertaking various activities including real estate deals, pub-bars and selling used cars to terrorist organisations.
Later these money was sent to NRI accounts and from there it was transferred to PFI members in India. More than 100 bank accounts of PFI have come under the radar of investigating agencies for not matching the financial profiles of the account holders. Come, let us know how PFI collected funds secretly from abroad.
Haj journey: PFI members active in Gulf countries helped Indians going on Haj pilgrimage in exchange for money. This money was later sent to India. PFI took all possible avenues to send money to India – be it hawala or gold trading.
Funds were also collected in return for the help of Haj pilgrims.
NRI Accounts: The source said that overseas PFI Members remit money to NRI accounts in UAE and other Gulf countries. After receiving the funds in NRI accounts, the account holders transferred it to various accounts belonging to PFI leaders. This method for money transfer was in direct violation of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA).
real estate: Saifu, a member of PFI and a resident of Chavakadu district of Kerala, lives in Abu Dhabi where he does real estate business. It is learned that he had sent money to the accounts of PFI leaders in India. Money earned through the rent-a-car service was also transferred to India.
Bars in Abu Dhabi: There are nightclubs and bars in Abu Dhabi where alcohol is legally available. Some of these outlets were run by PFI members who earned a huge amount from this business. He sent the money earned from here to his PFI colleagues in India.
The PFI used to get a good amount of money from the bar business as well.
KISF Membership: PFI was active in Kuwait under the name ‘Kuwait India Social Forum’ (KISF). National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources said that KISF used to collect annual membership fee from its members to support the activities of PFI in India.
Rehab Foundation and Oman-based members: There are many dummy organizations of PFI which are active in Gulf countries. The National Development Front (NDF) is one such organization that is active in Oman. Agencies have come to know that the NDF sent around Rs 44 lakh through hawala channels to PFI members in India. A member of the PFI has been identified as Ashfaq Chaikkinakath Puyil, who kept the details of all the accounts. The money was sent to Rehab India Foundation in Kerala, which is another dummy organization of PFI.
Used cars sold to ISIS: Agencies have claimed that a PFI member in Syria, identified as Muhammad Fahimi, made a huge amount of money by selling used cars to ISIS and other terrorist groups. This money was later sent to India through hawala.
Money was also collected from the sale of used cars to the Islamic State.
Qatar Connection: The PFI has several Malayalee members who live in Qatar. He runs a Cultural Forum (CAF), which is also a dummy organization of PFI. The money collected by these members in Qatar in the name of aid for Muslims was sent to PFI and SDPI leaders in India.
PFI members living abroad also transferred money to India using e-wallets, shown to them as legal aid and community donations. PFI was receiving money from the country and abroad through dubious channels. PFI and its associates maintained a large number of bank accounts and received money through their well-wishers and financiers located in India and abroad.
“More than 100 bank accounts of PFIs that do not match with the financial profiles of the account holders have come to the notice of the agencies,” the source said. As a result, the registration status of PFI under Section 12A and 12AA of the IT Act has been withdrawn. (IANS)