SRINAGAR — Two judicial tribunals headed by Justice Sachin Datta of the Delhi High Court have upheld the government’s decision to ban two prominent separatist groups.
The tribunals confirmed the outlawing of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir (TeH) and Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) (MLJK-MA) under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, originally founded by the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has long been associated with advocating separatism and challenging Indian sovereignty in J&K. The tribunal’s confirmation, issued on June 22, 2024, validated the government’s declaration of TeH as an unlawful association, originally announced on December 31, 2023.
Similarly, the tribunal also upheld the ban on Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction), which was declared an unlawful organization on December 27, 2023. This faction, led by Masarat Alam, has been known for its involvement in separatist activities and has posed a challenge to law and order in the region.
The tribunals, constituted by the Central government in January 2024, exercised powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 4 of the UAPA to review and confirm the government’s decisions.
The confirmations were announced through notifications issued by the Union Home Ministry.
