The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches across multiple states on 20 March 2025, as part of its money laundering investigation against the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political wing of the banned terrorist organization Popular Front of India (PFI).
Raids were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at various locations, including Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, Arcot, and Vellore in Tamil Nadu; Bhilwara and Kota in Rajasthan; Kolkata in West Bengal; and Kottayam and Palakkad districts in Kerala.
In Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, the ED searched two locations, one of which was linked to an SDPI party member, following suspicions of large-scale money laundering.
One of the individuals under scrutiny is Rajik, a resident of Annaji Rao Road Extension in Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, who operates an iron shop and serves as the Coimbatore North District Secretary of SDPI. ED officials, assisted by CRPF personnel, are currently conducting searches at his residence. Similarly, the agency is investigating the residence of Reela, who owns a fruit shop near the Mettupalayam bus stand.
SDPI கட்சி நிர்வாகி வீட்டில் அமலாக்கதுறை அதிரடி சோதனை..!#Covai #Coimbatore #Mettupalayam #EnforcementDepartment #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/iea44rcbIR
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) March 20, 2025
These raids follow the recent arrest of SDPI president Moideen Kutty K, also known as MK Faizy, on 3 March at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Authorities claim that SDPI continues to advance the ideology of the banned PFI and receives funding from it.
SDPI Acting as a Front for PFI?
The central government banned PFI and eight associated organizations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on 28 September 2022, citing concerns over radicalization and terror financing. The crackdown, led by the ED and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of alleged incriminating materials. The government claimed that PFI, with a significant presence in Kerala, was involved in activities that posed a threat to national security.
Founded in 2009 and registered as a political party with the Election Commission of India, SDPI has been accused by the ED of functioning as a front for PFI. The agency alleges that SDPI was both funded and controlled by PFI, with a strong interconnection between the two organizations. ED claims that PFI played a direct role in SDPI’s operations, including policymaking, election campaigns, public outreach, and mobilizing cadres.
According to the ED, SDPI served as a cover for PFI’s alleged anti-national activities while outwardly presenting itself as a social welfare organization. The investigation is ongoing, with officials examining financial links and organizational overlaps between SDPI and PFI.
(With Inputs From Hindustan Times)
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