New Delhi 

Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Saturday heard arguments presented by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on framing of charges against 20 leaders of the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the organisation itself, which was banned by the Centre in 2022.

Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma listened to submissions made by Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi, who appeared on behalf of the central agency. During the proceedings, the NIA alleged that the banned outfit had identified leaders associated with the BJP and RSS as targets.

According to the prosecution, PFI was actively engaged in radicalising youth and promoting hostility against other religious communities. The agency further argued that the organisation was pursuing a larger ideological agenda aimed at establishing a caliphate based on Sharia law, posing a serious threat to the country’s unity and integrity.

The court has now scheduled the matter for December 23, when arguments on behalf of the accused will be heard.

PFI leaders were taken into custody during a nationwide crackdown conducted by the NIA in 2022, following which the Central Government declared the organisation an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

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Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate also initiated a money laundering investigation against several PFI functionaries and others linked to the group.