What is protocol for pleas seeking ban on outfits: Bombay HC

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has asked the Centre about the procedure to be followed before considering a representation seeking a ban on unlawful organisations. The court was hearing a petition filed by Arshad Ali Ansari, seeking the court’s direction to the state and Centre to ban the Sanatan Sanstha.

A division bench of Justices R.V. More and S.P. Tavade was hearing the petition. Mr Ansari in his petition claimed that he filed a representation before the state and central government in September 2018, seeking that a ban be imposed on the said group under section 3 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Till date however, there was no response. On Wednesday, the state government informed the bench that the competent authority to decide on the ban was the Union ministry of home affairs.

The Union government, however, told the court that the state government will have to first send a report on its findings on the outfit, after which the MHA will look into the issue.

“What is the procedure that is normally followed? Show us that procedure,” the court said and posted the petition for further hearing on March 4.

As per Mr Ansari’s plea, filed through advocate Rajesh Khobragade, the Sanatan Sanstha’s name cropped up in some bomb blast cases in Maharashtra and in the killings of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and activist Govind Pansare.

“Members of the Sanatan Sanstha have been arrested for allegedly planting bombs in auditoriums at Thane and Vashi,” the plea said. The petition sought direction to the state and Centre to decide Mr Ansari’s representation at the earliest and ban the Sanatan Sanstha.