The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has begun a preliminary inquiry into allegations of questionable foreign funding possibly being used to incite communal unrest in connection with the ongoing Dharmasthala controversy in Karnataka, official sources confirmed on 4 September 2025.

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The Supreme Court has held that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) lacks the power to direct the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to initiate prosecution under the anti-money laundering law for alleged environmental violations.

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran observed that the green tribunal has no power under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, to direct the prosecution of individuals under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

“Though such power would be available to a PMLA court or to constitutional courts, it would not be available for exercise by the NGT, constituted to ensure effective and expeditious consideration of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests,” the CJI Gavai-led Bench said as it set aside the green tribunal’s direction to the ED to examine the petitioner, C.L. Gupta Export Ltd, a handicraft manufacturing and exporting company.

“We hence set aside the direction issued to the Enforcement Directorate; but say nothing on whether there is an offence made out or not, which at this stage is not within our ken,” it said. The apex court further noted that no FIR had been registered for any scheduled offence, nor was any complaint filed alleging such offences under the various environmental protection statutes scheduled under the PMLA.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court also set aside the ₹50 crore environmental compensation imposed by the NGT on the petitioner company for alleged violations, including illegal groundwater extraction and discharge of effluents into a Ganga tributary.

The bench observed that the NGT’s method of calculating the penalty based on the company’s revenue lacked a rational nexus with the alleged environmental damages and was inconsistent with legal principles laid down in earlier judgements of the apex court. “The methodology adopted by the NGT for imposition of penalty was held to be totally unknown to any principle of law. (R)ule of law does not permit the state or its agencies to extract a ‘pound of flesh’, even in environmental matters,” it added. However, the apex court upheld the NGT’s directions allowing continuous monitoring and audit of pollution control measures to ensure a “pollution-free compliance regime.” 

– IANS

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 6 August 2025, conducted raids at 11 locations in the national capital and three states in connection with a global cyber fraud case involving ₹260 crore.

The ED conducted the raids under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act based on FIRs registered by the Delhi Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation. The raids were taking place in Noida (Uttar Pradesh), Gurugram (Haryana), Dehradun (Uttarakhand), and Delhi The fraudsters cheated foreign and Indian nationals by posing as police or investigating officers, and extorted money after threatening them with the consequences of arrest.

The accused also impersonated Microsoft or Amazon tech support service agents and duped the victims. The monetary assets of the victims were converted into cryptocurrencies, which were further transferred to the accused persons. The accused accrued ₹260 crore in the form of Bitcoins in multiple crypto-wallets, which were further liquidated into cash through conversion into USDTs through multiple hawala operators/individuals in the UAE.

Earlier, on 26 June, the CBI arrested a key member of a transnational cyber extortion syndicate during coordinated raids in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, a statement said. The accused, identified as Prince Jashvantlal Anand, is the mastermind of an international racket targeting foreign nationals, especially in the US and Canada. The syndicate is accused of impersonating law enforcement and government officials, fabricating legal threats, and extorting money from unsuspecting victims.

On 25 June, the ED launched a coordinated crackdown across Gujarat and Maharashtra in connection with a massive cyber fraud case involving more than ₹100 crore. Raids were carried out in Ahmedabad, Surat, and Mumbai under the PMLA. The key accused named in the case include Maqbool Doctor, Kashif Doctor, Basam Doctor, Mahesh Mafatlal Desai, and Maz Abdul Rahim Nada, among others. Authorities allege the group duped unsuspecting victims by employing tactics such as fake enforcement notices, USDT (Tether) crypto trading scams, and false digital arrest threats.

-IANS

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted searches at multiple locations linked to Odisha-based firm, M/s Biswal Tradelink Pvt. Ltd., its directors, in Bhubaneswar and Kolkata in connection with a fake bank guarantee scam case.

As per the ED sources, on the basis of a case (0131/2024) registered by the Economic Offence Wing (EOW), Delhi on 11 November 2024, the Central agency has recorded an ECIR and initiated an investigation into the fake bank guarantee racket. The ED sleuths were searching under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at three premises linked to M/s Biswal Tradelink Private Limited and its directors in Bhubaneswar and one premises of an associate/operator of the Odisha-based firm in Kolkata.

It is pertinent here to mention that the Central agency, during investigations, found M/s Biswal Tradelink Pvt. Ltd., its directors, and associates engaged in the issuance of fake Bank Guarantees against a commission of 8 per cent. The sleuths also ascertained that the accused group had facilitated fake bills for commission. The ED officials also detected suspicious financial transactions of crores of rupees in multiple undisclosed bank accounts of the sham company.

“The company is a mere paper entity its registered office is a residential property belonging to a relative. No statutory company records were found at the address. Suspicious financial transactions with multiple companies have been traced. Key individuals of the group are found using the Telegram application with “disappearing messages” enabled, indicating attempts to conceal communication,” informed ED sources.

In a connected development, during the searches conducted on 24 July in the case of Anil Ambani group companies, the ED sleuths had earlier seized evidence which is directly linked to the current investigation. Notably, a Bank Guarantee of ₹68.2 crore submitted to Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) by M/s Biswal Tradelink Pvt. Ltd. on behalf of M/s Reliance NU BESS Limited (formerly known as M/s Maharashtra Energy Generation Limited), a subsidiary of Reliance Power Limited (RPL), has been established as fake. “In an attempt to prove that this fake bank guarantee is genuine, the group used a spoofed email domain. To create a facade of genuineness instead of sbi.co.in, the domain s-bi.co.in was deployed to send forged communication to SECI, impersonating SBI. The ED has sought domain registration details of s-bi.co.in from the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI),” ED sources further added.

-IANS

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A major political bomb has been dropped on the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, following recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids linked to a ₹1,000 crore liquor scam involving the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). The probe has reportedly exposed a large-scale corruption network involving individuals allegedly connected to the DMK’s first family.

At the heart of the scandal are two individuals—Ratheesh and Aakash Bhaskaran—who are believed to have close ties to Deputy Chief Minister and DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin. Suspected WhatsApp conversations between Ratheesh and TASMAC Managing Director S. Visakan have raised serious questions about possible corruption and political influence in the functioning of the state-run liquor corporation.

Adding another layer to the controversy, a budding Kollywood film producer, who is reportedly related to the DMK’s first family and is working on a ₹400–₹500 crore film project featuring major stars, was also brought under the ED’s scanner. He was questioned over two days during the raids, further intensifying the political fallout from the ongoing investigation.

Who is Ratheesh?

Ratheesh, a longtime associate of Udhayanidhi Stalin, is reportedly considered a central figure in the DMK leader’s inner circle and is described by Enforcement Directorate (ED) sources as a behind-the-scenes power broker with significant influence.

During its months-long investigation into the alleged ₹1,000 crore TASMAC liquor scam, the ED reportedly discovered printed WhatsApp chat screenshots near the residence of the TASMAC Managing Director (MD) in Chennai. These communications appear to show Ratheesh issuing direct instructions to the MD.

The messages allegedly included detailed guidance on selecting liquor brands, such as ‘Erica Platinum XO Brandy French’ and ‘Erica VSOP Premium XO Brandy’, along with directives related to tender management processes. One particularly notable exchange involved Ratheesh sending the TASMAC MD a photo of the MD with Udhayanidhi Stalin, suggesting his deep access and authority within influential circles.

The revelations have sparked a political storm in Tamil Nadu, with the opposition AIADMK demanding answers. They referred to Ratheesh as “Who_Is_That_Brother?”—a nickname kept and called for the DMK leadership to clarify his role and connections in the alleged scam.

Meanwhile, Ratheesh has reportedly gone untraceable, with ED officials unable to locate him at his registered address in Chennai, adding to the mounting suspicions surrounding his involvement.

டாஸ்மாக் MD வீட்டின் அருகே கிழிந்த நிலையில் டாஸ்மாக் நிறுவனம் தொடர்பாக முக்கிய விவரங்கள் குறித்த வாட்சப் Chat Screenshots கிடைத்ததாகவும், இவை துணை முதல்வர் உதயநிதியின் நண்பர் ரத்தீஷிடம் பேசியது எனவும் செய்திகள் வருகின்றன.

டாஸ்மாக் நிறுவனத்தின் MD-க்கு Directives கொடுக்க இந்த… pic.twitter.com/R4fqj6JPI4

— AIADMK – -SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) May 16, 2025

Who is Aakash Bhaskaran?

Much like Ratheesh, film producer Aakash Bhaskaran has also come under the radar of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The young producer, who heads Dawn Pictures, is reportedly being scrutinized for simultaneously financing multiple big-budget films, with an estimated combined value between ₹400 and ₹550 crore.

A native of Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), Aakash comes from a business background—his father is the owner of a jewellery store. After completing his education, Aakash began his journey in the film industry by working as an assistant director under filmmaker Vignesh Shivan. It is noteworthy to mention that Vignesh Shivn had directed the Chess Olympiad promotional video featuring MK Stalin.

In 2024, Aakash Bhaskaran married Dharaneeswari, daughter of CK Ranganathan, the chairman and managing director of Cavinkare Pvt Ltd. Dharaneeswari’s mother, Thenmozhi, is the granddaughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, linking Aakash to the powerful DMK political family. He is also said to have close ties with Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.

His high-profile wedding in 2024 was attended by several notable figures from both the film industry and the DMK, including Cheif Minister MK Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.

Aakash has recently gained attention for producing high-value projects featuring leading Tamil stars such as Dhanush, Silambarasan TR, and Sivakarthikeyan, all under the Dawn Pictures banner. His rapid rise and simultaneous funding of several mega-budget films have raised questions that are now part of the ED’s ongoing investigation.

#யார்_அந்த_தம்பி pic.twitter.com/WLmLAv9eMX

— AdmirerOfAnna – SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@Dilleepan) May 17, 2025

The ED’s probe has reportedly uncovered irregularities in TASMAC’s tendering processes, undeclared cash dealings, and a covert liquor trade allegedly worth ₹1,000 crore. Since the beginning of the year, the investigation has resulted in raids targeting TASMAC personnel, distilleries, and various corporate offices. In April, TASMAC MD S. Visakan and other top officials were summoned by the ED for questioning.

In response, the DMK has firmly rejected the allegations. Earlier this year, Minister V. Senthil Balaji stated that all TASMAC operations, including purchases and tenders, are conducted with full transparency. He accused opposition parties—including the BJP—of exaggerating the issue for political advantage.

The BJP has also taken a strong stance on the matter. Former state party chief K. Annamalai led a protest in March, during which several BJP leaders were detained by police.

TASMAC, which oversees the sale of liquor throughout Tamil Nadu, remains one of the state’s largest sources of revenue. However, it has frequently been a flashpoint in political debates, with both current and previous administrations facing accusations of using the organization to channel funds into electoral campaigns and party expenses.

(With Inputs From The Federal)

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The ruling DMK is currently grappling with mounting public dissatisfaction, driven by growing anti-incumbency sentiments and widespread criticism of its handling of law and order, among other administrative shortcomings. Adding to its woes, the party is now under intense judicial scrutiny, with several of its sitting ministers facing serious corruption allegations. On just one day — 23 April — the judiciary delivered multiple setbacks for the DMK including, Electricity, Prohibition and Excise Minister V. Senthil Balaji, Forest Minister K. Ponmudy, and the party’s general secretary and Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan all found themselves in legal trouble. To make matters worse, the party also faced a blow in the case related to Enforcement Directorate raids on TASMAC, involving alleged financial irregularities to the tune of ₹1,000 crore. In each of these cases, the court’s stance went against the DMK, intensifying the political heat on the party’s leadership.

Below are the details of each case:

Madras High Court Gives Belt Treatment To DMK Govt For Not Registering FIR Against Ponmudi’s Hate Speech On Hindus

On 23 April 2025, the Madras High Court initiated suo motu proceedings against DMK Forest Minister Ponmudy following his making derogatory remarks on Vaishnavism and Saivism. Justice Anand Venkatesh directed the Registry to initiate writ proceedings against the Minister and present the matter before the Chief Justice for further action. The court observed that the Minister’s speech appeared to constitute hate speech, potentially violating various sections of the BNS 2023.

The court emphasized that the Minister’s remarks were not only disrespectful to women but also deeply insulting to the religious beliefs of Vaishnavites and Saivites, who represent the two major Hindu sects in Tamil Nadu. The bench noted that the speech, on the surface, appeared to be laced with contempt for both groups and was laced with obscenities that injured the sentiments of their followers.

The court stated, “At first glance, these remarks are highly disrespectful to women and seem intentionally aimed at inciting animosity toward the two major Hindu sects—Vaishnavism and Saivism. Beyond their indecent tone, the comments also deeply offend the religious sentiments of Vaishnavites and Saivites.”

It also criticized the state police for their inaction, stating that their failure to act against the Minister, despite previous court orders, was distressing. The court emphasized its duty to ensure that the state police adhere to Supreme Court directives concerning hate speech, asserting a zero-tolerance policy towards such offenses.

The court noted, “This court observed that the Minister had acknowledged making the statement and was subsequently removed from his position. Yet, the police, whose duty it is to address hate speech, took no action. This ongoing inaction is deeply troubling. As a constitutional authority, this court has a responsibility to ensure that the Tamil Nadu police comply with the Supreme Court’s directives on hate speech. When it comes to such matters, there is zero tolerance.”

On 17 April 2025, the court had directed the state government to register an FIR against Minister Ponmudy for his remarks. The court had warned that failure to do so would compel it to take suo motu action. The judge emphasized that individuals in positions of power should exercise responsibility and refrain from making divisive statements.

In response, Senior Advocate P. Wilson, representing the Tamil Nadu Police, informed the court that preliminary inquiries had been conducted into two complaints against the Minister, both of which were closed after finding no prima facie case. Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, representing Ponmudy, argued that the speech was made in a closed meeting and only a truncated version was made public, and that the Minister was discussing events from around 40 years ago, suggesting no case had been made out. The court recorded these submissions but maintained its stance that the Minister’s speech was derogatory and ordered accordingly.

Madras High Court Reopens Disproportionate Assets Case Against DMK Minister Duraimurugan

On 23 April 2025, the Madras High Court set aside a 2007 discharge order and ruled that DMK  general secretary and current Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan, along with his family members, must stand trial in a long-pending disproportionate assets case. The case, originally filed in 2002, accuses the minister and his relatives of accumulating wealth beyond known sources of income during the period between 1996 and 2001.

Justice P. Velmurugan passed the order while allowing a set of five criminal revision petitions filed in 2013 by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). The petitions contested the discharge granted by a special court in Vellore on 23 February 2007, which had cleared Duraimurugan, his wife D. Santhakumari, son D.M. Kathir Anand (DMK Vellore MP), brother Durai Singaram, and daughter-in-law K. Sangeetha of all charges.

The court has now directed the trial court to proceed with framing charges and to expedite the trial process, requiring it to be completed within six months with hearings conducted daily, considering the age of the case.

At the time the alleged offense occurred, Duraimurugan served as Public Works Department Minister in the government led by then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Following the return of the AIADMK to power in 2001 under J. Jayalalithaa, the DVAC registered a First Information Report (FIR) against him in 2002. Subsequent raids were carried out at his residence in Chennai and at multiple other locations associated with him and his family.

Despite the 2007 discharge under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, the DVAC pursued a legal challenge in 2013. The High Court had earlier accepted the agency’s explanation for the 1,789-day delay in filing the revision, noting the political context—namely that the DMK held power in the state from 2006 to 2011, which may have hindered timely legal action.

Justice Velmurugan concluded hearings on the matter earlier this year, following detailed submissions from both the defense and the prosecution, before delivering the verdict this week.

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On 8 April 2025, Justice S.M. Subramaniam of the Madras High Court criticized the Tamil Nadu government for “disrespecting and insulting” the High Court in its approach to transferring a set of cases related to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) recent search and seizure operation at the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) headquarters in Chennai. The operation took place between 6 and 8 March 2025.

While presiding over a Division Bench alongside Justice K. Rajasekar, Justice Subramaniam questioned whether the state was more concerned with protecting the public interest or the interests of certain TASMAC officials being investigated by the ED. He accused the state government of being unfair to the court proceedings and disrespecting the High Court, addressing State Government Pleader (SGP) Edwin Prabakar.

The remarks came after the SGP informed the court about the state’s request to the Supreme Court to transfer three writ petitions—one filed by the state and two by TASMAC—challenging the legality of the ED’s operation and seeking to prevent further harassment of TASMAC officials. The state argued that the writ petitions were filed to safeguard the welfare of the state and its citizens, and requested that the High Court delay hearing the matter by a couple of hours to await the outcome of the transfer petition in the Supreme Court.

However, Justice Subramaniam questioned the timing of the transfer petition, pointing out that the state had previously agreed in court on 1 April 2025, to commence final arguments on the writ petitions by 8 August 2025. He expressed his concerns about how the state filed the transfer plea without informing the High Court beforehand, despite being given the opportunity to do so earlier. Although the state had the right to approach the Supreme Court, the judge criticized the way the transfer petition was filed as improper.

Later that day, the Division Bench was informed that the Supreme Court had dismissed the state’s transfer petition, and TASMAC decided to proceed with its two writ petitions before the High Court. Senior Counsel Vikram Chaudhary began presenting his arguments on behalf of TASMAC and was granted permission to continue his submissions the following day.

After the hearing concluded, Advocate General P.S. Raman requested that the interim order issued by another Division Bench on 20 March, which had directed the ED to refrain from taking coercive action, be extended until the writ petitions were resolved. However, ED Special Public Prosecutor N. Ramesh strongly objected, stating that the ED had not made any commitments to the previous Division Bench. After hearing both sides, Justice Subramaniam stated that his Bench was not inclined to issue any interim orders but was prepared to expedite the hearing and resolve the main writ petitions as soon as possible.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

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The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is currently under investigation in connection with hedge fund manager George Soros, as part of an ongoing inquiry. ASAR Social Impact Advisors, which received ₹8 crore from USAID as foreign inward remittance, is also funded by the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF).

USAID, which has faced criticism from the Trump administration for allegedly promoting a “left, liberal, and woke” agenda abroad, is now under the scrutiny of India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) due to its association with Soros. The ED is investigating three Bengaluru-based companies, including ASAR Social Impact Advisors, for potential violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) related to receiving ₹25 crore from Soros’s Economic Development Fund between 2021 and 2024.

ASAR has explained that the funding from USAID was a reimbursement for services provided to the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), a Delhi-based think tank focused on global challenges and their implications for India’s development. According to ASAR, the funding was related to a USAID project aimed at cleaner air, which has already concluded.

CEEW has clarified that it contracted ASAR to work on this project but no longer has any relationship with ASAR. The think tank further emphasized that it has no ties to George Soros or the Open Society Foundations (OSF) and has not received funding from them. CEEW also stated that it has not been contacted by any government authorities regarding ASAR and has no information regarding the ongoing investigation.

ASAR officials, however, could not provide details about the services they rendered to CEEW or clarify how USAID funding was involved. The ED is now investigating the reasons behind the payments made by USAID and whether the Open Society Foundations, which were placed under the “prior reference category” by India’s home ministry in 2016 due to concerns over “undesirable activities,” complied with regulations in contributing funds to Indian non-profits.

In addition to ASAR, two other Bengaluru-based companies, Rootbridge Services Pvt Ltd and Rootbridge Academy Ltd, also received funding from Soros’s SEDF. The ED is now examining whether the required prior approval was obtained for these payments. The investigation also covers Soros’s funding of Indian civil rights organizations, think tanks, and other entities, potentially under the guise of foreign direct investment.

(With inputs from Times Of India)

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Wahidur Rahman, a 28-year-old member of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), in Mettupalayam on 20 March 2025 and took him to New Delhi for further investigation.

According to reports, ED officials began searching Rahman’s residence at around 12:15 PM, with the search continuing until 6:00 PM. During the search, several documents were seized, and Rahman was subsequently arrested. He was then flown to New Delhi that night for further questioning.

As the ED operation was underway, SDPI leaders and supporters gathered outside Rahman’s house, protesting against the central government and raising slogans. It is noteworthy that Rahman had previously been arrested in 2022 for throwing a petrol bomb at a building after the government banned the Popular Front of India (PFI), but he was released on conditional bail.

Backdrop

This arrest comes under the backdrop of Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting multiple searches across states since 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 was 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 – 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.

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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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