UP STF To Examine Possible Links Of Halal-Certifying Companies With Banned Islamic Organisations Like PFI, SIMI

The investigation into the sale and supply of Halal-certified products will now be conducted collaboratively by the Uttar Pradesh Police and the Special Task Force (STF).

The STF has been tasked with expanding its scope to examine the supply of Halal-certified products in various states, as well as conducting inquiries into banned radical Islamist organisations such as PFI (Popular Front of India), SIMI (Student Islamic Movement of India), and Wahdat-e-Islami, among others, for potential terror funding.

The STF will initiate the investigation by scrutinising the bank accounts of the concerned companies, distributors, and product suppliers. The action was initiated with a complaint filed on 17 November at the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow.

This complaint pertains to the sale of Halal-certified products in Uttar Pradesh and was lodged by Shailendra Kumar Sharma, the former regional vice president of the BJP Youth Morcha. Based on it, the police have registered an FIR.

Companies such as Halal India Private Limited in Chennai, Jamiat Ulema Hind Halal Trust in Delhi, Halal Council of India in Mumbai, and Jamiat Ulema Mumbai, along with unidentified companies' owners and managers, have been implicated by the police.

The investigation may also extend to include anti-terrorism units to ensure comprehensive scrutiny, Jagran reported.