PFI conducted weapons training under guise of yoga, martial arts: NIA tells Court

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has told a special court that the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) allegedly carried out uniform physical and weapons training under the guise of yoga sessions, rescue and relief activities, martial arts, and other physical development programmes.

The NIA informed the special court in Ernakulam that the banned PFI, through its arms training wing, prepared instructors to impart uniform physical and weapons training to its cadres at various stages under a common syllabus and structured course.

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Opposing the bail plea of Ashraf alias Ashraf Moulavi — the national in-charge of the PFI’s education wing and vice-president of the affiliated All India Imams Council — who is the second accused in the murder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Sreenivasan in Palakkad, the NIA told the court that PFI office-bearers and trained cadres had conspired to kill selected individuals from other communities to create an atmosphere of terror in society.

The agency alleged that Ashraf alias Ashraf Moulavi was part of the conspiracy to kill Sreenivasan in Palakkad on April 16, 2022, with the intention of creating fear among the Hindu community and the general public.

After hearing the NIA’s arguments, the court rejected the bail application, observing that there was prima facie evidence that the petitioner was a PFI leader. The court also noted Ashraf’s alleged presence at the site of the conspiracy and at the crime scene, as well as his role in the offence.

The NIA further stated that the PFI filtered its cadres through various stages and trained selected members to handle weapons and explosives. Institutions, including those operating in the name of trusts, and related facilities were allegedly used for this purpose. Apart from training camps, secret meetings were also held, the agency said.

The agency also informed the court that, through its ‘reporters’ wing — described as a quasi-intelligence division — the organisation allegedly collected private and personal information about prominent personalities, including leaders of other communities, particularly members of the Hindu community, along with details of their daily activities.