PFI case: Chargesheet filed against two more

Patna: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet adding two more people to the list of accused linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).The chargesheet, submitted on Wednesday before the NIA special court in Patna, has taken the total number of people arrested and formally charged in the ongoing investigation to 20.The two newly chargesheeted accused are Mahboob Alam Nadvi and Shamim Akhtar. According to the findings of the NIA, both played active roles in a larger conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by PFI members to undermine public order and create divisions along religious lines through illegal and anti-national means.The agency’s investigation began after it took over the case from Bihar Police in July 2022.According to investigators, the conspiracy aimed to create an atmosphere of fear and promote hostility between communities. The ultimate objective, the agency said, was to advance the group’s ideology of establishing Islamic governance in India, as mentioned in a confidential PFI vision document titled “India 2047: Towards Rule of Islam in India.”The document was recovered by local police from Ahmad Palace in Phulwarisharif in Patna during the initial registration of the case.Investigators said Mahboob and Shamim were actively involved in efforts to recruit and train members of the organisation. They allegedly participated in organisational meetings and training sessions held at Phulwarisharif along with other co-accused.These activities included cadre recruitment and skill-building programmes intended to strengthen the banned outfit’s organisational network.The accused have been charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).The NIA said the investigation in the case is still underway and further developments are expected as the agency continues to examine evidence and possible links connected to the conspiracy.