Delhi HC Holds PFI’s Plea Challenging Five-Year UAPA Ban Maintainable, Issues Notice
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday ruled that a plea filed by the Popular Front of India (PFI) challenging the five-year ban imposed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is maintainable, and formally issued a notice to the Central government.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela stated that the court has jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution to entertain petitions against decisions made by a UAPA tribunal under Section 4 of the Act.
“In view of the aforesaid, we hold that this court has jurisdiction to entertain and maintain a petition under Article 226 against an order of the tribunal passed under Section 4 of the Act… we thus hold the instant petition to be maintainable,” the bench said. The court directed the Centre to file a counter affidavit within six weeks, with two weeks given for PFI to file a rejoinder, listing the matter for further hearing on January 20, 2026.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, in September 2022, declared PFI and its allied organisations as “unlawful associations” under Section 3(1) of the UAPA. The ban was imposed for a period of five years, citing the groups’ alleged links to terrorist organisations and activities threatening India’s unity, integrity, and security.
The ban followed two coordinated nationwide crackdowns in which several PFI leaders and members were arrested or detained. Alongside PFI, the ban also applied to affiliated bodies including:
- Rehab India Foundation (RIF)
- Campus Front of India (CFI)
- All India Imams Council (AIIC)
- National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (NCHRO)
- National Women’s Front
- Junior Front
- Empower India Foundation
- Rehab Foundation, Kerala
In March 2023, a UAPA tribunal headed by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma of the Delhi High Court upheld the Centre’s decision. The tribunal was set up in October 2022 to review the legality of the government’s action under UAPA provisions.
PFI had earlier moved the Supreme Court challenging the ban, but the apex court dismissed the plea, advising the organisation to approach the High Court instead.
The High Court’s decision to hear the case marks the beginning of a new legal challenge to one of the most high-profile UAPA bans in recent years.
