Delhi HC tribunals uphold ban on Mirwaiz-led AAC and Ittihadul Muslimeen under UAPA

New Delhi: Two Delhi High Court tribunals have upheld the Government of India’s decision to ban the Awami Action Committee (AAC), led by prominent Kashmiri cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), headed by Shia leader Masroor Abbas Ansari, PTI reported.

Both tribunals, presided over by Justice Sachin Datta, noted that the evidence presented established sufficient grounds to categorise the two organisations as unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

“The Tribunal, after following the procedure prescribed under the UAPA and its Rules and independently evaluating the records, is firmly of the view that there is enough cause to declare the organisation an unlawful association under Section 3(1) of the Act,” the identical orders stated.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had announced the ban on March 11, citing that AAC and JKIM were engaged in activities detrimental to India’s integrity, sovereignty, and security.

According to the ministry, members and leaders of the groups were involved in “raising funds and supporting separatist, secessionist, and terrorist activities” in Jammu and Kashmir.