Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : NIA nabs PFI accused on return from UAE after 3 years on run and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
The case dates back to 2022, when the Centre had launched a nationwide crackdown on the PFI and banned the organisation.
Moideenkutty P, a resident of Kerala’s Malappuram district, was taken into custody by an NIA team at the airport, the antiterrorism agency said in a statement.
The NIA has so far charge-sheeted 65 accused in the case.
Moideenkutty, the PFI’s coordinator of physical education training in Kerala, had fled soon after registration of the case in September 2022. The agency had conducted searches in his house and recovered many incriminating documents during the probe, the NIA said.
The case related to a criminal conspiracy hatched by the PFI and its leaders and cadres to create a communal divide among people of different communities through radicalisation of impressionable youths. As part of the conspiracy, the youths were trained in handling weapons and raising funds for carrying out acts of terrorism and violence, with the ultimate objective of establishing Islamic rule in India by 2047, according to the NIA.
The probe in the case so far has revealed that the accused had conspired to spread violent jihad in India with the aim of dismembering the country, according to the agency.
It said the PFI had established various wings and units, such as reporters wing, physical and arms training wing and service teams, in pursuance of the conspiracy. The probe further found that the PFI was using its various campuses, facilities and infrastructure to impart arms training to selected cadres in the guise of physical education, yoga training and other activities, the NIA said.