New Delhi, 2nd May 2023: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested one more accused in the Phulwar Sharif, Patna case relating to unlawful and anti-national activities of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

The accused arrested today has been identified as Anwar Rashid, S/o Abdul Rashid and r/o Sant Ravidas Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. His arrest followed detailed examination and analysis by NIA of the various incriminating documents, digital devices and letters seized earlier during a search at his house on 25th April 2023.

With his arrest, the total number of arrests in the case has gone up to 14. The case was initially registered on 12th July 2022 at PS Phulwarisharif, District Patna, Bihar and re-registered as case no. case 31/2022/NIA/DLI by NIA on 22nd July 2022. The NIA had filed a chargesheet against four accused on 7th January, 2023.

Investigations have revealed that Anwar is a former member of the banned terrorist organisation SIMI and is currently associated with several PFI members of Bihar and U.P, including one Athar Parvez who was named in the FIR and arrested on 12th July last year.

Anwar was instrumental in preparing a secret group of ex SIMI members to work for PFI, according to the NIA investigations. The prime agenda, under the banner of PFI, was to establish Islamic Rule in India as envisioned in the outfit’s ‘India 2047 Document’.

Further investigations in the case are continuing.