PMLA case: ED carries out searches on PFI in Kurnool district

HYDERABAD: Enforcement Directorate (ED), Delhi unit, on Tuesday conducted searches in several places in Kurnool district in connection with the Popular Front of India (PFI) case. Searches were conducted in Kurnool, Nandyal, Emmiganur and Ayyaluru of the district.
The ED had recently filed a chargesheet against the PFI under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) alleging that PFI members attempted to ‘incite communal riots and spread terror’ after Hathras gangrape case.
The PFI has strong presence in south Indian states like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and some parts of Andhra Pradesh. Police said Kurnool town, Nandyal, Velugode, Atmakur, Adoni, Yemmiganur in Kurnool district, Nellore town, Kavali in Nellore district and Vijayawada city are the key places in AP where the PFI is active. The PFI has its AP headquarters in Kurnool town. The ED also named stuents’ wing of PFI the Campus Front of India (CFI). It alleged that funds of Rs 1.36 crore were crime proceeds and added that over the years, Rs 100 crore have been deposited in PFI accounts mostly as cash.