Four PFI members get life imprisonment for 2016 murder of Hindu Munnani leader C. Sasikumar
A special court in India has sentenced four members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of Hindu Munnani leader C. Sasikumar. This marks the first NIA conviction involving PFI operatives since the group was banned.
Why it matters
The verdict is a significant legal milestone in India's efforts to curb extremist violence and prosecute members of banned organizations.
The Special Court for NIA Cases, Poonamallee, Chennai, on Friday (September 25, 2026) convicted and sentenced four cadre of the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) to life imprisonment in connection with the 2016 murder of C. Sasikumar, spokesperson of Hindu Munnani, Coimbatore.
The convicted individuals — Sadam Hussain, Subair, Mubarak, and Mohammad Rafiqul Hassan — were sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹30,000. “This verdict marks NIA’s first conviction involving PFI operatives since the organisation was officially banned by the Government of India,” said a press release from NIA.
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