PFI president, secretary arrested for allegedly funding Delhi violence

The Delhi Police on Thursday (March 12) arrested Popular Front of India’s (PFI) Delhi unit president Parvez Ahmed and state secretary Mohammad Ilyas in connection with alleged funding and conspiracy in Delhi violence which left 50 dead and over 200 injured.

Home Minister Amit Shah haad on Wednesday told the Parliament that two people have been identified for funding the Delhi violence.

The development comes a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a case against suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, an accused in the murder of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

His alleged links with PFI are also being investigated.

Police sources said that a PFI member, Danish, who was arrested in connection with Delhi violence, has said that the organisation was “deeply involved” in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

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Danish has revealed that the organisation provided logistical and financial support to the protesters, according to sources. He has been working with PFI since 2018 and is the general secretary of Trilokpuri area in Delhi.

The Crime Branch of Delhi Police had on Monday arrested Shah Alam, brother of Tahir Hussain. Three other people who had given shelter to Shah Alam have also been arrested.

Hussain was sent to seven-day police custody on March 6 in connection with the case. The Karkardooma Court had earlier rejected the anticipatory bail plea of the suspended AAP leader.

Earlier in January, the ED had identified several bank accounts used for funding over ₹120 crore for anti-CAA protest across the country.