UAPA Tribunal, Presided Over By Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, Upholds Centre’s Decision To Prohibit PFI

The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act Tribunal (UAPA Tribunal), headed over by Delhi High Court judge Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma on Tuesday upheld the Central government’s decision to ban the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliate organisations for five years.

The Central Government notified the appointment of Justice Sharma as the presiding officer of the UAPA Tribunal to review the ban last October.

On September 28, 2022, the Central Government declared PFI illegal under Section 3 of the UAPA and banned it for five years.

The organisation was accused of engaging in “illegal activities” that jeopardise the country’s integrity, sovereignty, and security.

The UAPA states that no such ban shall come into effect unless confirmed by the UAPA Tribunal in an order passed under Section 4 of the Act.

However, in exceptional circumstances, the notification can come into effect immediately if the reasons for it are recorded in writing. It can be approved or rejected by the tribunal.