Today, On 20th September, At the 10th All India Conference of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai highlighted the vital role of tribunals. He said administrative tribunals occupy a unique space between the executive and the judiciary in India.
The Delhi High Court tribunal upheld the five-year extension of the ban on Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), citing its continued subversive activities. The group, founded by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, issued threats to top Indian officials and attempted to incite violence. Authorities highlighted SFJ’s use of social media to spread separatist propaganda. The extension aims to stop its influence and maintain national security.
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal confirmed the Central Government’s decision to extend the ban on Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for five years under the UAPA, citing evidence of its links to Khalistani terror groups, Pakistan’s ISI, and its role in inciting militancy, recruiting youth, targeting infrastructure, and disrupting national events. The tribunal found SFJ’s activities a direct threat to India’s national security, supported by testimonies, videos, and documents, concluding the ban was justified.
Today, On 17th October, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing on petitions challenging the Patna High Court’s ruling that upheld Bihar’s caste-based survey legality. The hearing will now occur on November 7, 2024. The survey aims to collect socio-economic data to support targeted welfare schemes in the state.
Yasin Malik, a separatist leader, testified in a UAPA tribunal that he has forsaken armed conflict for non-violence, adopting a “Gandhian way” since 1994 to achieve a “united, independent Kashmir.” Despite his claims, the tribunal declared his organization, JKLF-Y, unlawful due to ongoing connections with terrorism, as Malik serves life imprisonment.
Today, On 6th September, the Chief Justice of India acknowledged concerns about vacancies in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) raised by the Bengaluru Bar Association. He assured that the Supreme Court will address the issue and look into the unfilled positions. The ITAT, responsible for direct tax appeals, currently faces delays due to insufficient members.
The Central Government established an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal led by Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, a Delhi High Court Judge, to determine if there’s enough cause to continue classifying ‘Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)’ as an unlawful association. The Ministry of Home Affairs extended SFJ’s designation for another five years starting July 10, 2024.
The counsel for the Shahi Idgah managing committee argued in the Allahabad High Court today that the suit seeking the removal of the mosque is constrained by the statute of limitations. The Muslim side cited a compromise dating back to 1968, stating the suit filed in 2020 is beyond the three-year limit to challenge a compromise. The High Court set March 13 as the next hearing date. The case involves a dispute over Waqf property. The Waqf Act allows the Waqf Boards in India to claim unlimited powers over properties without recourse to legal challenge, raising questions in the context of a secular country. Waqf Board holds over 8,54,509 properties encompassing more than eight lakh acres of land, with powers to acquire and declare ownership without need for proof. The controversy surrounding the Waqf Act and the dispute over the mosque illustrates the complexities of religious property laws in India, provoking debate about the Act’s constitutionality.