SC refuses to entertain PFI plea against tribunal order confirming ban imposed by Centre

The Popular Front of India has challenged the March 21 order of the UAPA tribunal which confirmed the September 27, 2022 decision of the Centre on proscribing the organisation under the UAPA. The apex court said it would be appropriate for the petitioner to first approach the high court against the tribunal's order, reports ETV Bharat's Sumit Saxena.

New Delhi : The Supreme Court Monday declined to entertain a plea of the Popular Front of India (PFI) against an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal confirming the five-year ban imposed on it by the central government.

A bench comprising justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi told senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing PFI, that it would be appropriate for his client to first approach the high court against the tribunal's order. Divan said he agreed with the court’s view that his client should have gone to the high court before moving to the apex court. After a brief hearing in the matter, the apex court dismissed the plea but granted the PFI the opportunity to move the high court.

The PFI has challenged the March 21 order of the UAPA tribunal by which it had confirmed the September 27, 2022 decision of the Centre. The notification proscribing the organisation said the government is of the firm opinion that it is necessary to declare the PFI and its associates, affiliates or fronts as “unlawful association” with immediate effect under the UAPA.

The Centre had declared as “unlawful association” the PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts, including 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.