On April 15, a tribunal constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed the ban imposed on the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), headed by jailed separatist Shabir Ahmad Shah, reports Daily Excelsior. While declaring JKDFP a banned group, the home ministry said, ‘’Shah called Kashmir a “dispute” and ruled out any settlement within the framework of the Constitution of India, and the members of his party have been at the forefront of secessionist activities to create a separate Islamic state’’. Previously, on October 5, 2023, MHA declared a ban on the JKDFP under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, for five years for its “anti-India” and “pro-Pakistan” activities. Shah is currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 25, 2017, in a 2005 money laundering case. He has also been charged by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a terror-funding case.