The High Court of Karnataka has upheld the recent ban imposed on the Popular Front of India (PFI) and stated that the Centre has the power under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 to ban an organisation with immediate effect.A single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna on Wednesday pronounced the judgment in a petition challenging the Union government’s recent ban on PFI. The ban was challenged by Nasir Pasha, a resident of Bengaluru and the state president of the proscribed outfit.”The proviso to sub-section (3) of Section 3 permits the Central Government that in the event it is of the opinion that circumstances exist which renders it necessary for the Government to declare an association to be unlawful with immediate effect, it may for reasons to be stated in writing direct that the notification shall have effect from the date of its publication in the official gazette,” Justice Nagaprasanna said in his judgment.The Centre is empowered under the proviso to bring in any notification declaring any organisation to be unlawful with immediate effect, the judge said, adding that the only rider to this is that reasons should be recorded in writing.