The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Mahboob Alam alias Mahboob Alam Nadvi, the Bihar state president of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), in connection with the 2022 Phulwarisharif criminal conspiracy case. Alam, a resident of Hasanganj in the Katihar district of Bihar, was apprehended in Kishanganj on Saturday. He is the 19th person to be arrested and charged in the case, which was originally filed by local police in July 2022 against 26 individuals.

The case pertains to the alleged involvement of PFI members in unlawful and anti-national activities aimed at spreading fear by fueling religious hatred between communities, disrupting peace, and creating unrest against the country. The group is also accused of promoting violence to achieve their goals. The NIA has re-registered the case, which was previously being investigated by the Bihar Police.

According to investigators, Alam and other PFI members were acting in accordance with the organization's secret "vision document," which was seized from Ahmad Palace in Phulwarisharif on July 11, 2022. The document, titled "India 2047: Towards Rule of Islam in India," detailed plans to impose Islamic rule in the country. Alam was found to be part of the conspiracy linked to this plan.

The NIA stated that, along with his co-accused, Alam was involved in recruitment, training, meetings, and other anti-national activities of the PFI. He is also accused of raising funds and providing them to co-accused individuals and PFI cadres.

The NIA's official statement asserts that the case involves PFI members in illegal and anti-national acts intended to spread fear by fueling religious hatred, disrupting peace, and creating unrest, even promoting violence to achieve their objectives. The agency also stated that PFI members were spreading fear among the general public by promoting the organization's ideology, which seeks to establish Islamic rule in India, as outlined in the seized vision document.

The NIA investigation revealed that the PFI's activities were prejudicial to peace and harmony and intended to disrupt public tranquility and cause disaffection against India, justifying the use of criminal force.

In September 2022, the central government banned the PFI and declared it a terrorist organization. The NIA and other agencies have taken over several cases involving the banned outfit.

Authorities believe that Alam's arrest could yield significant leads in the ongoing investigation. The NIA is continuing its investigation under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)A).