The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the ban against the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for another five years.

Govt Extends Ban Imposed On Terror Group SIMI for 5 years

The government on Monday extended the ban imposed on terrorist group Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for five years for its involvement in fomenting terrorism and disturbing peace and communal harmony in the country.

In a post on ‘X’, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that bolstering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of zero tolerance against terrorism, SIMI has been declared an ‘Unlawful Association’ for a further period of five years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The SIMI was first banned in 2001 when the Atal Bihar Vajpayee government was in power and since then the ban has been extended every five years. The group is disrupting the secular fabric of the country by polluting the minds of the people by creating communal, disharmony, propagating anti-national sentiments and escalating secessionism by supporting militancy and undertaking activities which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country, the notification said.

Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)

•It was first enacted in 1967 to deal with secessionist movements and anti-national activities.

•It was amended several times, most recently in 2019, to include provisions related to terrorist financing, cyber-terrorism, individual designation, and seizure of property.

•It empowers the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate and prosecute cases under UAPA across the country.

•It provides for the death penalty and life imprisonment as the highest punishments for terrorist acts.

•It allows for the detention of suspects without charge or trial for up to 180 days, and for the denial of bail to the accused unless the court is satisfied that they are not guilty.

•It defines terrorism as any act that causes or intends to cause death or injury to any person, or damage or destruction to any property, or that threatens the unity, security or economic stability of India or any other country.

BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA Act 2023