PFI Ban: Ban on PFI to continue, Karnataka High Court dismisses petition challenging the ban

The Karnataka High Court has upheld the ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI). The court on Wednesday (30 November) dismissed the petition challenging the Centre's ban on PFI. The PFI leader of the state approached the High Court challenging the Centre's decision. A single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna pronounced the order on a petition filed by a PFI activist named Nasir Pasha through his wife.

Pasha is currently in judicial custody. Earlier on Monday, the High Court had reserved the decision after hearing all the concerned parties in the matter. The petition questioned the imposition of a ban on PFI and its affiliates for five years. The advocate representing the petitioner had argued that the Center had failed to justify the ban.

What was said in the petition?

It has also been said in the petition that the Center has decided on various incidents of crime and it curbs the fundamental rights of minorities under Article 19 of the Constitution. The petition said that in 2007-08, PFI was registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act and was working for the empowerment of the weaker section of the society.

Center had banned

In September this year, the Center declared the PFI an 'unlawful association' and banned it for the next five years. Also, all states and union territories (UTs) were directed to exercise the powers of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against the organization and its associates.

accused of supporting terrorist activities

Police forces along with NIA, Enforcement Directorate, and state agencies arrested more than 100 PFI cadres in raids conducted across the country. PFI has been accused of supporting terrorist activities in the country. The Union Home Ministry had said that some PFI activists had joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and participated in terrorist activities there. It was alleged that PFI is involved in many criminal and terrorist cases and it has become a major threat to the internal security of the country.

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