Assam Police Arrests 3 Leaders Of PFI And CFI, Cash Amounting Rs 1.50 Lakh, Mobile Phones Seized

Police also recovered cash of Rs 1.50 lakh, four mobile phones, and a pamphlet of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) from the possession of three leaders of PFI and CFI.

Assam Police on Saturday arrested three leaders of the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) and Campus Front of India (CFI) in Assam's Barpeta district. Police also recovered cash of Rs 1.50 lakh, four mobile phones, and a pamphlet of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in their possession.

The arrested PFI and CFI leaders were identified as Jakir Hussain, he is also the State Secretary of PFI, Abu Sama, and CFI National Treasurer Sahidul Islam, Hiren Nath, Additional director general of police (ADGP) (SB), Assam police informed, as per news agency ANI.

Last month, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act Tribunal (UAPA Tribunal), presided by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma of the Delhi High Court, upheld the Union government's decision to impose a five-year ban on PFI and its affiliate organisations, news agency IANS reported.

The Union government had, last year in October, notified the appointment of judge Sharma as the presiding officer of the UAPA Tribunal to review the ban.

On September 28, 2022, the Centre declared the PFI as unlawful under Section 3 of the UAPA and imposed a ban on it for five years for allegedly indulging in "unlawful activities" which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country.

With the PFI, the Union government had declared as "unlawful association" its affiliates including the Rehab India Foundation (RIF), the Campus Front of India (CFI), the All India Imams Council (AIIC), the National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation (NCHRO), the National Women's Front, the Junior Front, the Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala.

Across seven states, over 150 people allegedly linked with the PFI were detained in raids last year.

The UAPA provides that no such ban shall come into effect unless the same is confirmed by the UAPA Tribunal by an order passed under Section 4 of the Act.

However, in exceptional circumstances, the notification can come into effect immediately once the reasons for it are recorded in writing. The tribunal can endorse or reject it.