Delhi court sends 18 PFI members to 4-day NIA custody

NEW DELHI, (PTI): A Delhi court on Thursday sent 18 activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI), arrested from different parts of the country in a multi-agency operation led by the NIA, to four days’ custodial interrogation for allegedly supporting terror activities.

Special Judge Shailendra Malik passed the order after the probe agency produced the accused before the court and sought their custody, saying they needed to be quizzed to unearth the larger conspiracy.

During the hearing, the NIA told the court that the investigation was at a preliminary stage and further remand might be needed later.

It further said that the investigation was sensitive in nature and more people are likely to be identified during the course of the probe.

In near-simultaneous raids across the length and breadth of the country, a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the National Investigation Agency on Thursday led to the arrest of 106 activists of the Popular Front of India in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country, the officials said.

The arrests were made in various states including Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry and Delhi, and Rajasthan.

According to the officials, the arrests were made during the raids which have been termed the ”largest-ever investigation process till date”. (PTI)