New Delhi, July 14 -- The Central government on Monday objected to the legal validity of a petition on maintainability ground filed by the Popular Front of India (PFI) in the Delhi High Court, challenging the confirmation of a five-year ban imposed on the organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

During the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju, representing the Centre, argued that the petition was not maintainable under Articles 226 or 227 of the Constitution. He submitted that the tribunal upholding the ban was led by a sitting High Court judge, and therefore, any challenge to its order should be made under Article 136 in the Supreme Court, not in the High Court.

The ASG also stated that th...