Delhi High Court Upholds Ban on Separatist Groups in Jammu and Kashmir

The Delhi High Court tribunal has upheld the Centre's ban on two factions of the separatist group Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir and four factions of the Jammu and Kashmir People's League. The groups were found to support terrorism and promote the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India.

The Delhi High Court tribunal has confirmed the Centre's ban on two factions of the separatist group Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (MCJK) and four factions of the Jammu and Kashmir People's League (JKPL). The tribunal, led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, determined that these groups posed a significant threat to India's integrity.

The tribunal's decisions were based on substantial evidence that the MCJK factions, both Bhat and Sumji, as well as the JKPL factions, were promoting, aiding, and abetting the secession of Jammu and Kashmir through terrorism and other unlawful activities. The MCJK factions were found to have connections with banned terrorist organizations and were actively involved in generating anti-national sentiments.

The tribunal upheld the bans under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of 1967, citing the groups' roles in supporting terrorism, raising funds for unlawful activities, and organizing violent protests. The home ministry's notifications emphasized the groups' consistent efforts to undermine Indian democracy by discouraging participation in elections and spreading anti-India propaganda.