The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested a key absconding member of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in connection with the 2022 murder of RSS leader Srinivasan in Kerala.
The accused, identified as Shafeekh, had been absconding since the targeted killing of Srinivasan in Palakkad on April 16, 2022. The Malappuram resident was tracked by the NIA Absconder Tracking Team to Kollam district, following which he was taken into custody.
He was part of the PFI machinery and hit squads that had plotted and carried out Srinivasan's murder, said NIA in a statement.
A total of 71 persons have been identified as being part of the horrendous conspiracy, in which
NIA has already filed two chargesheets in the case last year and have identified 71 people who are allegedly involved in the conspiracy.
One of the accused, identified as Abdul Naser, had died on January 2, 2023. Two others, Saheer K.V. and Jaffar Bheemantavida, both of whom were absconding, were arrested on October 19, 2023 and February 12 this year respectively.
NIA investigations revealed that Shafeekh had harboured Ashraf K.P., who under directions of the PFI leadership, had conspired with other leaders and cadres of the banned outfit to execute the conspiracy. Ashraf had allegedly also conducted recce of various potential targets for elimination.
Srinivasan, who was hacked to death, had 10 deep wounds, including three cuts on his head, stated an inquest report.
Srinivasan's murder was allegedly carried out in retaliation for the killing of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) activist Subair, who was allegedly hacked to death by RSS workers in Elappully, Palakkad.
