Chennai: The National Investigation Agency arrested former state secretary of Popular Front of India CA Rauf in Palakkad on Friday. The NIA made the arrest during a raid. Rauf had been absconding for months.
According to ANI, Rauf was arrested during a raid at his residence in Pattambi of Palakkad district.
After the Centre banned PFI, Rauf has been under the scanner of Kerala police and agency. However, he went to his hideout after NIA launched a massive countrywide operation.
On Friday, ANI in a tweet said, “ NIA (National Investigation Agency) arrested former state secretary of PFI CA Raoof last night from his house in Palakkad district. He was absconding after the Government of India banned PFI.”
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Based on a tip-off, the Kochi team of the NIA in the middle of the night searched Rauf's residence. They then took him into custody.
He was dressed in a white shirt and a white dhoti. He was also seen carrying a small white bag and waved out to his family while being taken away by the probe agency officials, said IANS.
Rauf had been taken to the Kochi office of the NIA for questioning.
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Last month, the Centre declared PFI as an "unlawful association" and banned it for the next five years. The Centre also told state and UTs to act against the outfits under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Following this, massive raids were carried out by multiple agencies and across the country.