UAPA Tribunal Upholds Government’s Decision To Ban Khalistani Terrorist Pannun-Led SFJ For Five Years

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Tribunal has upheld the Central government's decision to extend the ban on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun-led Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) as an unlawful organisation for an additional five years.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta of the Delhi High Court, delivered its verdict on Friday (3 January), affirming the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) 8 July 2024, notification.

The tribunal found the evidence presented by the government compelling, highlighting SFJ's involvement in activities undermining national security.

These activities included radicalising youth through social media, financing terrorism via smuggling networks to acquire arms and explosives, issuing threats to political leaders such as the Prime Minister and Home Minister, and inciting mutiny within the armed forces.

Justice Mendiratta deemed the evidence credible, particularly SFJ's links with international Khalistani terrorist organisations, such as Babbar Khalsa International, and its connections to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The tribunal also noted SFJ's ties to Pakistan's ISI and their efforts to revive militancy in Punjab.

The MHA had initially declared SFJ as an unlawful association in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, citing its engagement in "anti-national and subversive activities."

The July 2024 notification reiterated similar concerns, including SFJ's support for violent extremism and secessionist agendas aimed at carving out a sovereign Khalistan, thereby threatening India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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