In SC, Centre cites Ahmedabad blasts to press for ban on SIMI

The arrests of several SIMI activists that led to a breakthrough in the investigations into the serial bomb blasts in Ahmedabad...

The arrests of several SIMI activists that led to a breakthrough in the investigations into the serial bomb blasts in Ahmedabad, the Centre on Wednesday rushed to place before the Supreme Court additional information for strengthening its case seeking a ban on SIMI.

A special tribunal recently rejected a notification by the Union Government re-imposing a ban on the organisation.

Bringing to the attention of a Bench comprising Justices B N Agarwal, G S Singhvi and H S Bedi that Registry officials sought a specific direction, Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium said, 8220;We need the permission to file an additional affidavit in the case.8221; After the court8217;s permission, the Centre filed additional documents in the case against the tribunal8217;s order. The case comes up for hearing on August 25.

The additional affidavit filed by Arun Kumar Yadav, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, submitted that SIMI had been existing and carrying on its activities clandestinely for the past several years.

Citing the most recent case registered on August 16, 2008 relating to the Ahmedabad blasts against the outfit, the Government emphasised that the tribunal constituted under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 8220;has committed a serious error of law by passing an order contrary to legal provisions under which it was constituted and has caused grave prejudice8221;.

8220;If SIMI is not banned it would reorganise its activists/members who are still absconding, disrupt the secular fabric of the country by polluting the minds of the people by creating communal disharmony, propagate anti-national sentiments,8221; the affidavit stated. It furnished extensive details of several cases registered against the organisation.