The Bombay HC on Wednesday sought to know from the Union govt what procedure is followed before deciding a representation seeking ban on an outfit for alleged unlawful activities. A division bench of Justices R V More & S P Tavade was hearing a petition filed by one Arshad Ali Ansari, seeking a direction to the Maharashtra govt & the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to ban activities of the right wing organisation Sanatan Sanstha.
Ansari in his petition claimed he filed a representation before the state & the central govt in Sept 2018, seeking that ban be imposed on the group under section 3 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. However, till date there hasn't been any response.
On Wednesday, the state govt informed the bench that the competent authority to decide was the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The Union govt, however, told the court that the state govt will have to first send a report on its findings on the outfit, after which the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will look into the issue.
"What is the procedure that is normally followed? Show us that procedure," the court said & posted the petition for further hearing on Mar 4. As per Ansari's plea, filed by advocate Rajesh Khobragade, the Sanatan Sanstha's name cropped up in some bmob blast cases in Maharashtra & in the killings of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar & activist Govind Pansare.
"Members of the Sanatan Sanstha have been arrested for allegedly planting bombs in auditoriums at Thane & Vashi," the plea said. The petition has sought a direction to the state & the Centre to decide Ansari's representation at the earliest & ban the Sanatan Sanstha.
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