Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested four persons allegedly linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The police on Monday had filed an FIR against PFI under the stringent act in southeast Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh area.
This is the first arrest of any PFI associate after the Centre banned the outfit on September 28. Previously, the police had raided PFI units across six districts in Delhi, detaining 33 people allegedly connected to the group.
Along with UAPA, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (PRO) Suman Nalwa said on September 29, a case under IPC sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups) was registered after certain updates about PFI and its other associates and fronts. “Four accused persons named Md Shoaib, Habib Asgar Jamali, Abdul Rabb and Warish were arrested,” she said.
The Centre on September 28 had banned PFI and its associates—Rehab India Foundation (RIF), All India Imams Council (AllC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation (NCHRO)—and other organisations for alleged terror activities.
The FIR stated these organisations are secretly conspiring to disrupt public order with the ultimate objective of targeting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.
"The leaders, members and associates of the proscribed unlawful association/s are, in continuation of their unlawful activities, conspiring further to cause massive disruption of public order by promoting communal enmity and for the purposes, are mobilising supporters for spreading incitement at various places of worship,” the FIR further added.
