Centre's decision to proscribe PFI and affiliates upheld by UAPA Tribunal

New Delhi: The UAPA tribunal has upheld the Central government's decision to ban the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliated organizations, citing their links with terrorist organizations and involvement in terror acts, according to Live Law.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, a judge of the Delhi High Court appointed by the Centre to head the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal to adjudicate the five-year ban imposed on the PFI, upheld the Ministry of Home Affairs' decision.

On September 28th, the Ministry of Home Affairs exercised its powers under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 and declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates or fronts as "unlawful associations" for a period of five years.

The Centre cited their links with terrorist organizations and involvement in terror acts while proscribing the PFI and its affiliates, including the Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women's Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation, and Rehab Foundation, Kerala.

Under Section 3 of the UAPA, the Central Government is required to refer the notification of the unlawful association to the Tribunal within thirty days from the date of publication. The Tribunal, consisting of a single High Court judge, is tasked with adjudicating whether there is sufficient cause for declaring the association unlawful, according to Section 5 of the UAPA.

Upon receipt of the notification, the Tribunal will provide written notice to the affected association, calling upon them to show cause within thirty days from the date of service as to why the association should not be declared unlawful.

In October 2022, Justice Sharma was appointed as the Presiding Officer of the Tribunal by the Centre.