Popular Front of India approaches Supreme Court over union govt’s ban
New Delhi: The Popular Front of India (PFI) has approached the Supreme Court challenging a notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs designating it and its affiliated organizations as 'unlawful associations' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).
A bench comprising Justice Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi was scheduled to hear a special leave petition filed by the Popular Front of India against a UAPA tribunal's decision upholding the central government's ban earlier this year. However, the hearing has been deferred following a letter seeking adjournment.
In September of the previous year, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification declaring the Popular Front of India, along with its various associates, affiliates, or fronts, as 'unlawful associations' under the UAPA. The decision was made due to alleged connections with terrorist organizations and involvement in acts of terror. This move followed extensive nationwide search, detainment, and arrest operations against the PFI and its members. The ban, effective immediately, was set to last for five years under Section 3(1) of the UAPA. Affiliates listed in the notification included 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.
In March this year, a UAPA tribunal led by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma of the Delhi High Court upheld the central government's ban on the Popular Front of India and its associated entities. The tribunal, comprising a single high court judge, was mandated to assess the validity of the government's declaration according to anti-terror legislation. Justice Sharma was appointed as the presiding officer of the tribunal by the Centre in October 2022.
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Deve Gowda hints at NDA tie-up for local body, Panchayat polls
Bengaluru: JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has indicated that the party is open to an understanding with the NDA in the upcoming local body, taluk and zilla panchayat elections.
Speaking to reporters at J.P. Bhavan on Wednesday, he said the JD(S) is a regional party, while the BJP is a national party. “We have to wait and see what decision they take regarding a pre-poll alliance. As far as local body elections are concerned, we will discuss the matter together before taking a decision,” he said.
Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s allegation that the JD(S) does not give positions to anyone outside the family, Deve Gowda said the charge has no substance. “My memory is still strong. I will respond to everything at the appropriate time,” he remarked.
He also said that a JD(S) convention will be held in Vijayapura on February 27 and that he has been invited to participate in the event.
