The Popular Front of India (PFI) posed the gravest threat to the unity and integrity of the country, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) submitted before a Delhi court while concluding its arguments on charges against the banned organisation’s leadership. The case relates to an conspiracy orchestrated by the PFI leadership to “radicalise Muslim youth” and to “promote enmity against Hindus”.
The NIA has accused the organisation of systematically indoctrinating members, spreading extremist propaganda, and preparing cadres for violent activities aimed at destabilising the nation.
Appearing before Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma at the Patiala House Court, Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi stated that the agency had gathered substantial evidence against the organisation. He informed the court that a protected witness had disclosed that PFI conducted ideological classes in which members were told that in the event of a war between India and Pakistan, the organisation would focus on launching attacks from the southern part of the country and attempt to capture southern India while attention remained focused on the northern front. The prosecutor argued that PFI had actively incited hatred and enmity against Hindus by propagating the narrative that Islam was under threat in India.
According to the NIA, the organisation deliberately identified Muslim youths who were susceptible to such propaganda and subjected them to systematic radicalisation, preparing them to participate in jihadist activities. The agency further submitted that PFI encouraged its members to join the Islamic State and work towards the establishment of a Caliphate and Sharia-based governance in India. The prosecution stated that lectures and indoctrination sessions were conducted to create a sharp divide between Hindu and Muslim communities. As part of this ideological conditioning, PFI leaders promoted the view that India had been an Islamic land during the Mughal era and that the condition of Muslims had deteriorated following the decline of Islamic rule. During the proceedings, the special public prosecutor, assisted by advocates Jatin, Amit Rohilla, and Shubham Goyal, read out multiple statements recorded from protected witnesses. These statements, the NIA said, formed a crucial part of the evidentiary foundation of the case.
One such statement referred to internal discussions among PFI members on events such as the Gujarat riots and the demolition of the Babri Masjid. According to the witness account cited in court, a PFI member had spoken about what he described as the “golden days” of Islamic rule, using these historical references to influence and motivate recruits. The NIA also told the court that members recruited into the organisation were required to contribute a fixed monthly amount as “Baitulmaal”. The prosecution highlighted that this system of mandatory financial contribution was presented to recruits as having historical religious significance, claiming that such levies were first imposed during the era of the First Caliph of the Islamic world. According to the agency, these funds were used to sustain the organisation’s activities and support extremist objectives.
The prosecutor further stated that PFI members were motivated to travel to Syria and align themselves with ISIS in order to learn methods of armed combat and warfare. The NIA argued that this demonstrated the organisation’s direct ideological and operational links with global jihadist networks.
Referring to material evidence, the agency pointed out that multiple recoveries had been made from PFI members over the years. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, these recoveries included documents detailing the fabrication of improvised explosive devices, literature advocating the conversion of India into an Islamic state, hand-held marine radio sets, pen drives containing pro-ISIS videos, ammunition, and weapons. The case currently names PFI as an accused entity along with 20 individuals. The NIA informed the court that arguments on charges from the prosecution side had concluded and that, on the next date of hearing, the accused persons are expected to present their submissions. A chargesheet in the case was filed in March 2023. The trial is expected to commence once arguments on charge from both sides are completed. The agency also placed on record that more than 1,300 criminal cases have been registered against PFI members across various states. These cases relate to offences including the killing of leaders associated with Hindu organisations, the organisation of suspected terror training camps, alleged radicalisation of youth, and links with foreign terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State.
The NIA reminded the court that in September 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification declaring PFI and its affiliated bodies unlawful. Around the same time, the NIA and the Enforcement Directorate carried out coordinated nationwide operations involving searches, detentions, and arrests targeting PFI leaders and cadres. During the course of arguments, the prosecution stated that several leaders affiliated with the BJP and the RSS were among the targets identified by the organisation.
