NIA arrests Bihar PFI chief in Phulwarisharif case

Patna: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested the Bihar state president of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in connection with the 2022 Phulwarisharif criminal conspiracy case.The accused, Mahboob Alam alias Mahboob Alam Nadvi, a resident of Hasanganj in Katihar district, was arrested in Kishanganj on Saturday. He is the 19th person to be arrested and charged in the case, which was originally filed by local police in July 2022 against 26 persons.The case pertains to the alleged involvement of PFI members in unlawful and anti-national activities. Eighteen others have already been arrested and charged by the NIA in this matter.In its official statement, the agency said, "Originally filed by local police against 26 suspects, the case involves PFI members in illegal and anti-national acts. These activities aimed to spread fear by fuelling religious hatred between communities, disrupt peace, and create unrest against the country. The group even promoted violence to achieve their goals."According to investigators, Alam and other PFI members were acting in line with the organisation's secret "vision document", seized from Ahmad Palace in Phulwarisharif on July 11, 2022. Titled "India 2047: Towards Rule of Islam in India", the document detailed plans to impose Islamic rule in the country. Alam was found to be part of the conspiracy linked to this plan.The NIA said that along with his co-accused, Alam was involved in recruitment, training, meetings, and other anti-national activities of the PFI. "He also raised funds and provided the same to co-accused persons and PFI cadres. Investigations in the case under BNS and UA(P) Act are continuing," officials said.