97 OF 111 CASES SINK BUT GOVT PUSHES FOR SIMI BAN YET AGAIN

Even as the Centre seeks the approval of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal for its decision to extend the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India for the 7th time in a row, it has emerged that a majority of the cases registered against the outfit until

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Even as the Centre seeks the approval of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal for its decision to extend the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India for the 7th time in a row, it has emerged that a majority of the cases registered against the outfit until the previous ban – used by the government to justify its proscription – ended in acquittals or the accused being discharged, reports a national daily.

The information has come to light as a writ petition filed by two erstwhile SIMI members challenging the ban is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court on Friday. The petition alleges that police forces use the bogey of SIMI as an excuse to target innocent Muslim youth. A “background note” on SIMI submitted recently to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal by the Centre reveals that courts have decided 111 cases related to SIMI until the ban was reimposed two years back and alleged SIMI members were acquitted or discharged in 97 cases across the country.