No evidence to declare Sanatan Sanstha a terror outfit: Centre to Bombay HC
The lawyer told the court that it had verified the Maharashtra government's proposal but were not satisfied with the material submitted by it and had hence asked the state government to submit further material in support of its proposal.
In Short
- No satisfactory proof to declare Sanatan Sanstha a terror outfit: Centre
- Maharashtra govt to submit further material in support of its proposal.
- Documents to be submitted in 4 weeks.
While the Bombay High Court was hearing a petition filed by Vijay Rokade, a resident of Khopoli, seeking a ban on the right wing group Sanatan Sanstha, members of which are alleged to have carried out terror activities in Panvel and Thane, central government today told the court that till date it has not found any satisfactory material to declare right wing organisation Sanatan Sanstha as a terror outfit.
The lawyer told the court that it had verified the Maharashtra government's proposal but were not satisfied with the material submitted by it and had hence asked the state government to submit further material in support of its proposal.
DETAILS OF THE CASE
Division bench of Justices NH Patil and PD Naik were hearing the case. The petitioner informed the court that Maharashtra government based on a report and material submitted by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), forwarded a proposal to the union government in 2012 recommending ban on the group. However, the government at the Centre, has till date not taken any decision on the proposal. The petitioner's advocate said that under the provisions of the UAPA, the union government can recommend ban on any organisation or group.
DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED IN 4 WEEKS
The bench then directed the government pleader to show the communication between the union and state government. The bench asked to submit all the letters sent and received by the union and state government within four weeks. The court also sought to know under which law or provision can the union government ban an organisation or trust that is governed by a state government act.
In April 2012, the state government filed an affidavit in the case claiming that the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) had addressed a letter to the Director of Union Home Ministry informing it that three cases regarding bomb blasts had been registered against Sanatan Sanstha.