The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is scrutinising the findings of the police investigation against the Popular Front of India (PFI) in several States for initiating action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
According to the probe agencies, apart from Kerala, the organisation has a strong presence in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. It also has links in States such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, West Bengal and Jharkhand.
FIR registered
It is learnt that the agency, which in May registered a money-laundering case based on an FIR lodged by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has also gathered details of other cases against alleged PFI activists to unearth the channels of funding. Based on the findings, the Directorate can attach the proceeds of crime under the PMLA.
In February, the Jharkhand government banned the organisation for the alleged role of its members in terror activities. The outfit has refuted the charges.
The NIA had registered cases against alleged PFI activists for chopping off Kerala professor T.J. Joseph’s right hand in July 2010, in which the role of 54 persons was established, and for the alleged conspiracy to train some young men in the handling of weapons and explosives in April 2013.