PFI has been banned; what happens now

The Union home ministry’s notification banning the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)’s Section 3 will be referred to a tribunal for adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the organisation “unlawful association”, people familiar with the procedure said.

The government is mandated to send the notification to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Tribunal within 30 days under UAPA’s Section 4. The reference will have details of cases the National Investigation Agency, Enforcement Directorate, and state police forces have registered against PFI and its cadres across the country.

The ministry is also likely to submit a background note on PFI as part of the reference on how it has encouraged “disaffection and disharmony, engaged in anti-India activities.” It is also expected to provide evidence of its “international linkages, illegal activities, and instances of violation of laws”, said an official familiar, pleading anonymity.