Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at three premises linked to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in Tamil Nadu as part of a nationwide operation following the arrest of SDPI leader M.K. Faizy for alleged money laundering related to the Popular Front of India (PFI).Key Takeaways
- ED raids three SDPI locations in Tamil Nadu.
- Operation part of a wider crackdown on PFI.
- SDPI claims independence from PFI.
- M.K. Faizy arrested for alleged money laundering.
- ED accuses SDPI of receiving illicit funds.
Chennai, March 20 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed searches at three sites in Tamil Nadu connected to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) as part of a nationwide operation.
The raids occurred on Thursday at Mettupalayam, Arcot, and Vellore.
As per the ED, comparable searches were conducted across several states, including Rajasthan’s Bhilwara and Kota, West Bengal’s Kolkata, and Kerala’s Kottayam and Palakkad.
SDPI is widely seen as the political branch of the banned Islamist group, the Popular Front of India (PFI).
Nonetheless, SDPI asserts that it functions autonomously and has no affiliation with PFI.
This recent crackdown follows the arrest of SDPI’s national president, M.K. Faizy, on March 3.
He was detained concerning an alleged money laundering case associated with PFI.
Notably, two days after Faizy’s arrest, the ED initiated multiple raids nationwide, including in Chennai, where searches were conducted at two sites, one of which was the SDPI state office.
The ED has accused SDPI of acting as a political front for PFI, claiming that as national president, Faizy controlled the party’s operations, which involved receiving and utilizing illicit funds.
According to the ED, SDPI has obtained Rs 4.07 crore in illicit funds, allegedly sourced from PFI as part of a broader criminal conspiracy.
The investigation is based on two cases registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), alongside multiple FIRs filed by other law enforcement bodies.
Authorities claim that PFI leaders, members, and cadres raised funds both domestically and internationally -- particularly from Gulf nations -- through legal banking methods and illegal hawala transactions.
These funds were purportedly utilized to finance terror-related activities throughout India.
The ED asserts that SDPI shared members, cadres, and leaders with PFI, relying on PFI for crucial operations such as policymaking, candidate selection, and cadre mobilization.
As part of the investigation, authorities seized a document detailing PFI’s objectives. This document indicated that PFI aimed to promote an Islamic movement in India and supported the principles of Jihad in all forms. It also suggested that PFI established SDPI and other front organizations to fulfill its aims.
In connection with the PFI case, the ED has thus far attached assets valued at ₹61.72 crore, filed nine charge sheets, and detained 26 office-bearers and members, including PFI’s chairman and general secretary, along with members of its national and state executive councils.
Investigators found that PFI received over Rs 62 crore across 29 bank accounts between May 2009 and May 2022, with more than half of the amount deposited in cash.
The organization reportedly maintained thousands of active members in Gulf countries, who assisted in raising funds through various means, including donations.
The ED continues to investigate SDPI’s financial transactions and organizational connections as part of its broader inquiry into PFI and its affiliates.
