New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday granted bail to Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) president M.K. Faizy, an Islamic scholar and former masjid imam from the 1980s, in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna’s single-judge bench approved bail for Faizy, also known as Moideen Kutty K., who was arrested on March 3, 2025, at Indira Gandhi International Airport under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The detailed order remains awaited.
The ED alleges SDPI serves as the political front of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), relying on it financially—though SDPI maintains its independence. During its 2022 PFI probe, the agency linked Faizy to Kerala PFI leader Abdul Razak BP, who allegedly transferred Rs two lakh to him for fund-raising.
Investigators claim SDPI received crores through illegal hawala channels from PFI, distributing funds nationwide. The Centre banned PFI and eight affiliates in 2022 for radicalisation and terror funding, preceding coordinated raids by NIA and state police.
Headquartered in Delhi since 2009, SDPI wields strong influence in Kerala, Karnataka, and other south Indian states, per agency officials.
(Inputs from IANS)