Kozhikode: The alleged links of Ahmed Devarkovil, a minister, leader of the Indian National League (INL), and Kozhikode South MLA, with the banned terror outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) have triggered a fresh political controversy in Kerala. The row began after Shameer Payyanangadi, former state president of the National Youth League, the youth wing of INL, submitted a complaint to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging that Ahmed Devarkovil maintained links with PFI and that some party leaders were involved in financial dealings with banned organisations.
Following this, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a protest march to the MLA’s office demanding a comprehensive probe. The march was inaugurated by BJP state cell coordinator V.K. Sajeevan.
Addressing protesters, Sajeevan alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was shielding Ahmed Devarkovil. He claimed that complaints had emerged from within the minister’s own party and described the alleged links with terrorist organisations such as PFI as “extremely serious,” calling for an impartial investigation.
Sajeevan further alleged that the MLA was acting as a sleeper cell for banned organisations and had served as an intermediary for the PFI-linked Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), including during elections. He added that complaints had also been raised during the Nava Kerala Yatra, and claimed that such activities continued with the tacit approval of both CPI(M) and Congress.
Rehab India connection controversy
Earlier, BJP’s former state president K. Surendran alleged that Ahmed Devarkovil had links with the Rehab India Foundation, an NGO later found to be part of PFI’s organisational network. Rehab India Foundation was registered on March 17, 2008, and publicly projected itself as a charitable organisation working for the rehabilitation of marginalised communities in rural India. Its stated objectives included village adoption in North India and the North-Eastern states, particularly Assam, Bihar and Bengal, along with housing construction and initiatives in education and healthcare. One of its notable projects was titled Education on Wheels.
E. Abubakar, founding chairman of PFI, also served as chairman of Rehab India Foundation. Investigative agencies later established that the NGO functioned as a primary channel for fundraising for PFI.
In September 2022, the Union Home Ministry imposed a five-year ban on Rehab India Foundation along with PFI, citing activities that threatened the integrity and security of the country. The Enforcement Directorate subsequently froze multiple bank accounts linked to the organisation, stating that approximately ₹58 crore had flowed through these accounts, collected from domestic and foreign sources for terrorist activities.
Fresh allegations now claim that Ahmed Devarkovil had links with Rehab India Foundation. The minister, however, has categorically denied any association with the organisation.
Financial fraud and controversy
Ahmed Devarkovil has also faced earlier allegations of financial fraud. A complaint was filed by A.K. Yusuf, a resident of Muttungal in Vadakara, who alleged that he was cheated of Rs 50 lakh after being promised a partnership in a company supplying goods to the railways. The complainant later claimed entitlement to about Rs 63 lakh, including interest and compensation.
In 2019, the Kozhikode Additional Sessions Court sentenced three accused, including Ahmed Devarkovil, to two years’ imprisonment. However, following an appeal, the court later set aside the prison term and instead ordered the complainant to be paid Rs 63 lakh.
Yusuf subsequently approached the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, during the Nava Kerala Assembly, seeking recovery of the amount. Acting on this complaint, the Kozhikode Rural Superintendent of Police was directed to conduct an investigation. Ahmed Devarkovil has rejected the allegations, stating that he had no personal liability in the transaction and that he merely served as a director of the company involved.
Meanwhile, Shameer Payyanangadi’s complaint further alleges that Devarkovil abused his ministerial position over two-and-a-half years to carry out major financial irregularities. The petition also claims that Devarkovil accepted Rs 40 lakh from an individual identified as Samad Master in exchange for facilitating a PSC appointment. Shameer stated that when he raised these issues within the party, he faced severe opposition, forcing him to resign and go public. Ahmed Devarkovil has denied all accusations, maintaining that the claims are politically motivated.
