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Home Ministry Declares Shahzad Bhatti Network a Terrorist Organisation Under UAPA
Confirmed
In Short: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has officially designated the Shahzad Bhatti Network as a banned terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
NEW DELHI, SEPT 16: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has officially declared the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a banned terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), placing the group on the list of outlawed entities.
The notification, issued on Wednesday, invokes Section 35(1)(a) of the UAPA and is based on cases registered against individuals allegedly associated with the network. The SBN's objective, according to the government, is to involve gullible youth and local criminals to smuggle arms, explosives, and narcotics from across the border.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah noted on social media that the decision was taken as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of zero tolerance against terror. The Shahzad Bhatti Network is also involved in inciting youths and promoting terrorism through violent activities that disrupt public order.
The network has been targeted in a nationwide crackdown, with arrests made in various states, including Assam, where the State Special Task Force has arrested five people in connection with the network.
What's confirmed
- The Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification on Wednesday invoking Section 35(1)(a) of the UAPA to add the Shahzad Bhatti Network to the First Schedule of the legislation, which contains the names of organisations designated as terrorist groups.
- The cases have been filed under multiple laws, including the UAPA, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Arms Act, Explosives Act and Information Technology Act.
- Check important info The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has officially declared the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a banned terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
- In an official Gazette of India notification, the ministry said the objective of the Shahzad Bhatti Network was to involve gullible youth and local criminals to smuggle arms, explosives, and narcotics from across the border, and through terrorist activities, pose a serious threat to the democratic system, communal harmony, and internal security of the country.
What's still developing
- The government’s notification formally brings the network within the ambit of the UAPA’s framework for dealing with organisations identified by the Centre as being involved in activities covered by the Act.
- With its inclusion in the First Schedule of the UAPA, the Shahzad Bhatti Network will be subject to the legal restrictions and provisions applicable to organisations designated as terrorist outfits under the law.
- Investigators found that the network utilised digital communication channels to spread provocative material.
- Multiple state jurisdictions and federal agencies registered numerous criminal cases against operatives linked to the network.
- 31-year-old Nalbari resident Mrigen Haloi arrested by Assam STF with alleged connections to SBN (Photo: @STFAssam/X) A gazette notification issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs invoked Section 35(1)(a) of the UAPA to add SBN to the First Schedule of the Act, which lists organisations designated as terrorist organisations.