Who is Shehzad Bhatti? MHA declares his networks terrorist outfit under UAPA
PTC News Desk: The Union government on Wednesday designated Shahzad Bhatti's network a terrorist outfit under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday issued a gazette notification declaring the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
"Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN)' is an organisation whose objective is 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,” the notification said.
The notification invoked Section 35(1)(a) of the UAPA to add SBN to the First Schedule of the Act, which contains the list of organisations designated as terrorist groups. SBN has become the 46th organisation to be included on the list.
According to the Centre, the network has been involved in terrorism and various alleged terror-related activities in India. The notification referred to criminal cases registered against alleged SBN members under several laws, including the UAPA, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act, Explosives Act, Information Technology Act and the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act.
The government alleged that the network attempts to radicalise vulnerable youth by offering incentives, encouraging them to engage in what it described as anti-national activities and raising resources for such activities in coordination with other banned organisations and designated entities.
The notification also alleged that SBN promotes terrorism through violent activities that disturb public order and uses digital communication platforms to spread provocative messages, which the government said poses a serious threat to the country’s integrity.
Multi-state crackdown on SBN
On the eve of Independence Day this year, security agencies conducted a major multi-state operation against the Shahzad Bhatti Network and claimed to have dismantled its alleged terror network.
More than 253 people were detained across 14 states, while over 80 FIRs were registered and more than 200 arrests were made in cases linked to SBN, according to the authorities.
- With inputs from agencies
