Karnataka High Court dismisses plea challenging immediate enforcement of ban on Popular Front of India

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea challenging the ban on Popular Front of India (PFI) being made operational with immediate effect [Nasir Pasha v Union of India]..Justice M Nagaprasanna in his verdict took note of the fact that the notification being challenged included reasons for declaring PFI unlawful and as well as to bring the ban into effect immediately. "A perusal at the notification under challenge would indicate that reasons are present in the notification itself," the single-judge observed..Therefore, since reasons are found in the notification itself, no interference at the hands of the court was warranted, it was held."Any further consideration of the submissions made by the learned senior counsel for the petitioner would prejudice the proceedings before the Tribunal.".The judgment was rendered on a plea by the President of PFI Karnataka State Unit challenging the Central government's order banning the PFI on the allegation that it was involved in anti-national activities through its links with terrorist organisations.The Central government had, on September 28, declared PFI as unlawful under Section 3 of the UAPA and imposed a ban on it for five years.The organisation was accused of indulging in 'unlawful activities' prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country..The plea before the High Court specifically challenged the declaration of the Central government that the ban would become operational with immediate effect. It was argued that under Section 3(3) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), it is obligatory to record separate and distinct reasons for bringing into force such a ban with immediate effect. It was contended that the order being challenged was a composite order and no separate reason was passed in tune with Section 3 (3) of UAPA.The petitioner also argued that the order was passed suddenly and PFI was not allowed to dispute it. .However, the Central government argued that PFI was carrying out anti-national activities and had joined hands with terrorist organisations to indulge in violence. Moreover, it was argued that members of the organisation were creating an atmosphere of fear in the nation..[Read Judgment].[Read our live-coverage of hearing below]