The Tribunal headed by Justice Chander Shekhar of the Delhi High Court recorded statements of two “protected” witnesses produced by the Indian government to defend its decision to ban socio-religious organisation Jamaat-e-Islami in Kashmir.
The Tribunal held first of the three sittings at the High Court Complex in Srinagar and will continue till June 21.
The Unlawful Activities Prevention Tribunal headed by Justice Chander Shekhar of the Delhi High Court has been set up to adjudicate if there exists sufficient cause to ban Jamaat-e-Islami in Kashmir.
Additional Solicitor General of India, Sanjay Jain, appeared on behalf of Government of India, while advocate Rajat Kumar and advocate Mehrajuddin represented Jamat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir. Two protected witnesses were cross examined by the counsels representing the Jamaat.
The Government of India in February, 2019 had ordered ban on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir. The Jamaat was banned on the charges of supporting the freedom movement and pro-freedom groups as well as promoting extremsim in occupied Kashmir. The notification issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs had said then that the Jamaat if not banned would continue advocating freedom of Jammu and Kashmir from India, propagate anti-India and pro-freedom sentiments and intensify the ongoing freedom struggle in occupied Kashmir. Soon after the ban hundreds of leaders and activists of Jamaat were arrested besides sealing its offices and other buildings in the occupied territory.
