Ex-SIMI chief Badr deposes before tribunal

New Delhi, July 21 (UNI) Former Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) chief Shahid Badr Falahi and noted Muslim scholar Dr Zafrul Islam today deposed before the tribunal hearing the organisation's petition challenging the government's ban on it.

Counsel for the central government Shailendra Sharma cross-examined Badr for more than one hour, asking him to define the concept of 'organised struggle,' mentioned in the constitution of SIMI, as a ''hallowed objective'' of the outfit.

Not much comfortable with English, Badr responded in Urdu, saying that according to him, it connoted 'concerted efforts,' evoking strong objections from the counsel, who sought the intervention of the judge to provide the services of an official interpreter.

Inspite of spending much time and exercise, the prosecution counsel and Badr disagreed with each other over the definition of 'organised struggle'.

Since Mr Sharma contended that the interpretation of the word could decide the matter, the tribunal adjourned further hearing to July 24.

UNI SSS VD KN1741