UAPA Tribunal upholds Centre’s decision to ban PFI and its affiliates

The UAPA tribunal, headed by Delhi High Court judge Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, has upheld the ban imposed by the central government on the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliated organisations.

On 28 September, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared the PFI and its associate organisations or fronts as “unlawful associations” with immediate effect for 5 years in the exercise of powers under section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). Citing links with terrorist organisations and involvement in terrorist activities, the Center has slapped PFI and its associate organisations Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Mahila Morcha, Junior Morcha, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala.

As per section 3 of the UAPA, where any association has been declared unlawful, the Central Government shall, within thirty days from the date of publication of the notification, notify the Tribunal for adjudication whether the association has been declared unlawful. Was there a reason or not?

As per Section 5, the UAPA Tribunal should consist of one person, and that person should be a High Court Judge. On receipt of the notification, the Tribunal shall, by notice in writing, call upon the affected association to show cause within thirty days from the date of service of such notice as to why the association should not be declared unlawful.

The Center appointed Justice Sharma as the Tribunal’s presiding officer in October 2022.

Additional Solicitor General of India SV Raju and Advocate A Venkatesh appeared for the Central Government before the Tribunal.