Kochi: The special NIA court has revoked the attachment of six properties and a bank account that were earlier linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI). This comes two months after the same court ordered the release of 10 other properties connected to the case.
The recently released assets belong to Trivandrum Education Trust, Haritham Foundation in Poovanchira, Periyar Valley Charitable Trust in Aluva, Vallavunad Trust in Palakkad, Chandragiri Charitable Trust in Kasaragod, and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in New Delhi.
The NIA had claimed that some of these premises were used for arms training and to shelter cadres. However, the court ruled that there was no evidence proving direct involvement of the trustees. Advocate P.C. Noushad, who represented the petitioners, said the court also examined the SDPI bank account. The NIA alleged that money was sent to an accused, but the defense showed it was the salary of a driver. The court accepted the explanation.
So far, the court has released 17 properties that were attached during the probe. The owners of the properties have approached authorities to complete the handover process.
The case stems from the NIA investigation into alleged anti-national activities of PFI and the 2022 murder of RSS leader Sreenivasan in Palakkad. While attachments have been lifted in several instances, the NIA has filed charge sheets against 63 individuals.
