Thiruvananthapuram: The Income Tax department has cancelled the tax benefits enjoyed by the Popular Front of India under Section 80 G as the organisation has been found to be engaged in activities that are in violation of legal provisions.
The action follows the realisation by the income tax department that Popular Front has deviated from the objectives mentioned in the memorandum of association of the outfit. PFI was founded in Kerala, but with its operations extending across the country, its headquarters had relocated to Delhi.
PFI has been found to be allegedly associated with violence and disorder in many parts of the country and is known to be very active in the north Indian states, particularly Uttar Pradesh.
The cancellation of tax benefits to Popular Front of India by the income tax department comes within two days of a large haul of explosives, including gelatine sticks and detonators, from a forest area in Pathanapuram in the Kollam district of Kerala.
The arms haul followed a tip-off from intelligence agencies in the wake of certain arrests made in Uttar Pradesh.
According to media reports, Popular Front was allegedly providing physical training to its cadres in the area to carry out terrorist attacks in different parts of the country.
The arms recovery occurred with the Coast Guard keeping heightened vigil after intelligence reports emanated that boats from Sri Lanka, laden with arms meant for carrying out terrorist attacks, were heading towards Kerala.
