New Delhi, 23 July (H.S.):
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another absconding accused in the 2022 Srinivasan murder case in Kerala, which is linked to the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI).
The arrested accused has been identified as Muhammad Ali K.P., the former Palakkad district president of the PFI. He was taken into custody by the NIA on Thursday at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after arriving from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he had allegedly been hiding for the past four years. With this arrest, the total number of accused apprehended in the case has risen to 67.
The NIA said Muhammad Ali K.P. has been chargesheeted under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). According to the agency, he played a key role in the conspiracy behind the murder and provided shelter to the assailants involved in the killing of Srinivasan on April 16, 2022.
The agency had announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh for information leading to his arrest, and an Interpol Red Notice had also been issued against him.
According to the NIA, its investigation found that Srinivasan was murdered by PFI cadres. The probe further alleged that the banned organisation was attempting to spread terror as part of a larger conspiracy to establish Islamic rule in India by 2047.
The investigation also claimed that the organisation had created multiple specialised wings and units to further its objectives. According to the NIA, its Physical Education (PE) Wing allegedly imparted weapons training under the guise of physical education and yoga programmes, the Reporters Wing gathered intelligence on potential targets, while the Service Team was allegedly responsible for carrying out terrorist attacks.
The NIA registered the case in September 2022. The agency further alleged that the PFI used its offices, campuses and other facilities to promote violent extremism and jihad. The investigation into the case is continuing.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
