Delhi HC tribunal upholds ban on JKDFP as unlawful organization

Srinagar, April 04: The Delhi High Court-appointed tribunal has upheld the Government’s decision to classify the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) as an illegal organization.
Under the leadership of Shabir Shah, the JKDFP has consistently advocated for separatism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Justice Sachin Datta, who heads the tribunal, backed the ban under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), citing evidence of the group’s involvement in anti-national activities and the promotion of terrorism since 1998.
The JKDFP openly supports the idea of an independent Islamic state of Kashmir, which contradicts India’s sovereignty, and its members have faced numerous criminal cases under anti-terror laws and the penal code.
With the tribunal’s validation, the Ministry of Home Affairs will officially designate the JKDFP as an unlawful association.
Earlier, the Government of India has declared JKDFP as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.
“This organization has been involved in anti-national activities since 1998 and its members have always promoted separatism and terrorist acts in India,” it said.
The GoI further said that members of this organization, by inciting the people, want to make Kashmir a separate Islamic state, which is prejudicial to the sovereignty, security and integrity of India.
“Many criminal cases have been registered against this organization under various sections of UAPA 1967, IPC 1860, The Arms Act 1959 and Ranbir Penal Code 1932,” it said.