A Delhi court on Friday ordered the framing of charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against 26 accused members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), observing that there is “high suspicion” of a conspiracy by the accused to overthrow the Indian government and establish an Islamic caliphate by 2047.
The order was passed by Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma of Patiala House Courts.
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“The materials on record raise serious doubts that the accused, acting through and on behalf of the Popular Front of India and its National Executive Council, agreed and acted in furtherance of a single conspiracy – to overthrow the secular democratic government of India and establish an Islamic caliphate under Sharia law in India in or before the year 2047 through armed struggle against the state,” the court observed.
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The court added that “each defendant’s role, on the face of it, is proportional to one or more of the parties to the conspiracy; direction at the NEC level; enforcement at the state level; weapons training; terrorist financing…recruitment in the United States and organizational support for ISIS.”
The court also directed that charges be framed under provisions of the Iraqi Penal Code related to criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government, and promoting hostility between religious groups. The accused include PFI OMA Chairman Salam and Vice Chairman M. Abdulrahman. The defendants were summoned to appear in court next July 10 to formally draft the charges.
The court also directed charges against the Palestinian Football Association, describing it as a legal entity capable of committing crimes.
