The Jharkhand High court has revoked the State government’s notification where it had called the Popular Front of India (PFI) unlawful. In February 2018, the Jharkhand HC had issued a notice in which it declared the PFI unlawful under section 16 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908.
According to Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay, the notification was issued in a hurry without a proper check on pieces of evidence and proves. The state was unwary and incognizant while taking such a big decision. Earlier the court had noted that some PFI members had gone to Syria with a purpose to join ISIS and had declared a ban on the whole party. Later it was discovered that the allegations were obscure.
“The State has faulted on the decision-making process itself. Sound reasoning and rational basis should have formed the backbone of the impugned notification. Even if in the interest of security the reasons were not mentioned the State was not prevented to appraise this Court of any substantive material, the investigating agency may have collected indicating the involvement of PFI in subversive activities. Neither has such material been brought to the notice of the Court, not the counter affidavit highlights such instance which would be supportive of the decision of the State Government for issuing the Notification dated 21.2.2018,” the court observed.
Also Read: Jharkhand bans Popular Front of India for IS links
Earlier Jharkhand government had banned the Popular Front of India believing its links with the Islamic State in February.
“The state has banned the Popular Front of India, which is active in Jharkhand, under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908. The Home Department had recommended the ban,” a government statement had said.
