The Delhi High Court on Monday re-notified the plea filed by Popular Front of India (PFI) challenging the order of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal, which upheld the five-year ban imposed on the organisation by the Central government for hearing on February 13, 2024.
The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued the order. During the last hearing, the court had directed the organization’s counsel to clarify the scope of the petition, stressing that the court cannot function as an appellate authority in the matter. Mentioning its jurisdiction under Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution, the Delhi High Court pointed out its limited role, emphasizing on aspects like natural justice and decision-making.
Meanwhile, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma had objected to certain grounds in the petition and asked for the sanitization of pleadings as well as warned against using the platform for ramble-rousing. Chetan Sharma has also expressed concerns over the petition, characterizing the ban as an abuse of process, disgraceful and tyrannical.
The Delhi High Court had directed the counsel for the petitioner to submit an application for striking off objectionable statements in the pleadings. ASG Chetan Sharma further asserted that the petition lacked clarity on how it challenged the decision-making process.
The petitioner’s advocate had informed the court that a previous plea against the ban had been lodged before the Supreme Court, which granted the petitioner the liberty to approach the Delhi High Court.
The PFI challenged the UAPA tribunal’s March 21 order, affirming the Centre’s decision on September 27, 2022 to ban the organization for alleged links with global terrorist organizatons, including ISIS, and promoting communal hatred.
On September 28, the Central government declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the other eight alleged affiliated fronts as unlawful associations for a period of five years. The PFI has been accused of having connections with proscribed organizations like SIMI and JMB.