The Delhi High Court on Monday admitted a plea by the Popular Front of India (PFI) against a tribunal’s order that had upheld the five-year ban imposed on the group by the Centre.
A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notice to the Center asking it to respond to the PFI plea within six weeks.
The court also gave two weeks time to PFI to file its rejoinder and listed the matter for further hearing on January 20, 2026. While pronouncing its order, the bench said, “In view of the above, we hold that this Court has jurisdiction to entertain and maintain a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution against the order of the Tribunal passed under Section 4 of the UAPA Act… We, therefore, hold this petition maintainable.”
On August 28, the High Court had reserved its order on the issue of maintainability of PFI’s petition. PFI challenged the March 21, 2024 judgment of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act tribunal which had confirmed the Centre’s September 27, 2022 ban order.
The Center said the petition is not maintainable as the UAPA tribunal is headed by a sitting judge of the High Court and hence the order cannot be challenged under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.
The Center banned PFI for five years for alleged links with global terrorist organizations like ISIS and trying to spread communal hatred in the country.
The government declared PFI and its affiliates, affiliated organizations or fronts as ‘unlawful organisations’, including Rehab India Foundation, Campus Front of India, All India Imam Council, National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation, National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala.
The notification banning the organization said that the Center is of the firm view that it is necessary to declare PFI and its associates, affiliated organizations or fronts as ‘unlawful organizations’ under UAPA with immediate effect.
In September 2022, more than 150 people allegedly linked to PFI were detained or arrested in raids and pan-India operations by law enforcement agencies.