The tribunal set up by the Government of India (GoI) to adjudicate ban on Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) issued a show-cause notice to the pro-Khalistan group, an official spokesperson said on August 24, reports Hindustan Times. He said that a notice has been issued to SFJ as to why the association declared unlawful, be not adjudicated to be so and why the order confirming the declaration be not made. The association has been given 30 days to respond from the date of service of the notice. The objections, reply or affidavits may be filed before the next date of hearing.
Earlier on July 10, the GoI imposed a ban on SFJ by declaring it as an unlawful organisation. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) had said the group’s primary objective is to establish an “independent and sovereign country” in Punjab and it openly espouses the cause of Khalistan and in that process, challenges the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.