Two days after banning Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party led by jailed separatist leader Shabir Shah, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday delegated powers to the Union Territory administration to order seizure of its funds, properties and assets under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act-1967.

The MHA today issued a notification empowering State Governments and J&K UT administration to order seizure of funds, properties and assets of the separatist group.

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 42 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Central government directs that all powers exercisable by it under section 7 and section 8 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act-1967 shall also be exercised by the State Governments and the Union territory administration in relation to the banned outfit.

As per section 42 of the Act, the Central Government is empowered to delegate all or any of powers exercised by it under section 6 and 7 of the Act.

Section 7 deals with the government’s power to prohibit the use of funds of an unlawful association, while Section 8 is used to notify places used for the purpose of an unlawful association.

“The members of the JKDFP have been at the forefront of secessionist activities in the Jammu and Kashmir and want to create a separate Islamic State. The leader of members of the JKDFP have been involved in raising funds through various sources including Pakistan and its proxy organizations for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, sustained stone-pelting on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir,” MHA notification issued on October 5,2023, said.