SIMI counsel cross-examines Home Ministry official

New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) A senior Home Ministry official today said the fresh ban imposed on SIMI this year was warranted because the outfit continued to indulge in unlawful activities like extortion and publication of leaflets besides unlawful association and field activities.

Mr B A Coutinho, joint secretary, Home Ministry, was subjected to several questions for more than two hours at the tribunal in the High Court by the counsel for Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), T Pius, over the reasons for imposing the third ban on the outfit on February 8, 2006.

SIMI had moved the tribunal to lift the ban, third since 2001.

Mr Coutinho submitted before the tribunal that the fresh ban imposed this year was warranted because despite two earlier bans in 2001 and 2003, the SIMI members continued in such unlawful exercises as extortion, publication of leaflets, association and field activities.

He also submitted during the cross-examination that materials forming basis for the ban were received from many sources including the central and state intelligence agencies and an 18-page background note prepared by director of the department.

However, he excused himself from disclosing the nature of the materials other than the background note, saying ''I can't compromise with information which can threaten the sovereignty and integrity of the country''.

When pressed further, he said only so far as, ''the materials are in the form of print, visuals contained in a CD.'' He also refused to divulge the names of former SIMI members who were raided during September 27, 2003 and September 27, 2005 or share the nature of materials seized.

The cross-examination will resume tomorrow.

UNI SSS MIR PM1936