The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations across four states on Thursday as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering activities linked to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI).
According to the ED, SDPI is allegedly a political front for the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and was a recipient and user of funds raised by PFI both domestically and internationally.
The searches were carried out in Coimbatore and Arcot in Tamil Nadu, Bhilwara and Kota in Rajasthan, Kolkata in West Bengal, and Kottayam and Palakkad in Kerala. Earlier this month, the agency had conducted raids at 12 locations across 10 states in connection with the case against the proscribed organization.
The ED launched its first round of investigations in the money laundering case in early March, leading to the arrest of SDPI’s national president, MK Faizy. During a remand hearing, the agency informed the court that there was evidence linking SDPI and PFI due to overlapping membership and the involvement of PFI members in the formation of SDPI.
Founded in 2009, SDPI is registered as a political party with the Election Commission of India.
