PFI says bank accounts freeze politically motivated

Bengaluru: The Popular Front of India (PFI) has on Thursday condemned the 'provisional attachment' of its bank accounts by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The organisation claimed that the only reason for the government agency targeting through its 'politically motivated' action it is its "uncompromising stand" against the Sangh Parivar's "divisive politics",

The ED has attached at least 33 bank accounts of PFI and a linked charitable social service entity called Rehab India Foundation as part of an anti-money laundering investigation against them, officials said on Wednesday.

The accounts hold more than Rs 68 lakh, they had said, adding that 23 accounts of the PFI having Rs 59,12,051 and 10 of Rehab India Foundation having Rs 9,50,030 have been attached.

In a statement issued to the press, the organisation termed the action as part of the ongoing "repressive steps" taken against it for the past few years.

It is once again clear that the ED is acting as mere "pawns of the political masters" by going after people's movements, NGOs, human rights organisations, opposition parties, media, and any democratic voices in the country that are critical of the ruling party, it alleged.

Pointing out that the deposits to its accounts as mentioned by the ED for the duration of 13 years are nothing but normal for the functioning of a "nationwide social movement" like it, PFI said; and it is also to be noted that the said amount includes the deposits made during the collection drives for major calamities faced by the country.

"The stated figures by the ED are not at all astonishing and no great investigation is needed by an agency like ED as we have already filed every penny of the collections to the income tax. This proves it is nothing but sensationalising of figures," it said.

The PFI was formed in 2006 in Kerala and currently is headquartered in Delhi. The statement has been issued by PFI General Secretary Anis Ahmed, Secretary Mohammed Shakif, and Karnataka Secretary A K Ashraf.

Noting that the PFI will continue with its assertive stand and opposition to the "evil designs" of the RSS, it said, "these actions will not intimidate us and we will explore all legal and democratic options to overcome these hindrances."

(Based on PTI feed with minor edits)