Tribunal confirms ban imposed on Jamaat-e-Islami-Jammu & Kashmir

New Delhi: The five-year ban imposed on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, by the Centre for the outfit's active support to terror and secessionist activities has been confirmed by a tribunal headed by a Delhi High Court judge.

The tribunal, presided over by Justice Chander Shekhar, after going through innumerable evidence and deposition by witnesses observed that the "inescapable conclusion" is that the JeI, its office-bearers and members have been actively indulging in unlawful activities. "From the aforesaid discussion, it is apparent that the activities of the respondent association, its office bearers and members have been disruptive in character, which threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. They have been acting in collusion with other similar organisations in India as well as in other countries against their stated objectives in their constitution.

"The central government had sufficient credible material and grounds for taking action under sub-Sections (1) & (3) of Section 3 of the [Unlawful Activities (Prevention)] Act for declaring 'JeI' as an 'Unlawful Association'. Accordingly, it is held that there is "sufficient cause" to confirm the notification under sub-Section (3) of Section 4 of the Act declaring 'JeI' to be an "Unlawful Association", the tribunal observed.

While submitting an affidavit before the tribunal, Inspector General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Swayam Prakash Pani had stated that after the accession of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India, JeI (J-K) began to follow instructions and directions from JeI (Pakistan) and question the accession of the state with the Union of India and promoting secessionist movement in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pani said the JeI (J-K) is patronising banned terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahedeen, which was constituted in the last quarter of 1989, and that both of them are currently engaged in increasing their influence through various means, including merger of smaller terrorist groups with it.

The senior police officer said the JeI (J-K) is "intrinsically linked with United Jehad Council (based in Pakistan) which is the umbrella organisation of all major terrorist outfits". The central government had declared the JeI (J-K) 'banned outfit' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on February 28, a fortnight after terrorists blew up a CRPF bus killing 40 jawans in Pulwama.