HC dismisses PIL seeking to ban Popular Front of India

The Madras High Court today dismissed a PIL seeking direction to the Tamil Nadu government to ban 'radical' outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) for reportedly indulging in activities aimed at disturbing peace and harmony of the country.

"It is not for this court to decide which organisation should be banned and which organisation might continue. That is in the realm of the executive of the state," the first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice P T Asha, said.

Petitioner K Gopinath submitted that he had already made a representation to the Centre and Tamil Nadu government on April 27 this year that PFI, started as a cover to the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) "is indulging in activities that would disturb the peace and harmony of the country".

However, the representation has not been acted upon till now, he said.

Gopinath submitted that the Ministry of Home affairs in its May 5, 2018 letter to the Tamil Nadu government had stated that "public order and police are primarily the responsibility of state governments and requisite action is taken wherever necessary".

The petitioner said PFI was started in Kerala as a successor of National Development Front in 2006.

It was banned by the Jharkhand government and a case was pending in the Kerala High Court, where the state government had presented sufficient material to show the unlawful and anti-social activities of PFI and its founders, he submitted.

The petitioner said similar action was being contemplated by the government of Karnataka.

He also referred to the claim of retired Army officer