A Special Tribunal on August 5 lifted the ban imposed by the Central Government on the activities of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), stating that there was no fresh evidence to justify the extension of the ban which was first clamped in 2001. The order by Justice Geeta Mittal of the Delhi High Court came at a time when there was speculation of the role of SIMI in the serial blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore. The ban on SIMI had earlier been extended thrice. The judge held that the Central Government had given no new evidence against the organistion to warrant an extension1. The Supreme Court however on August 6 stayed the tribunal order2.

• 1. Tribunal lifts ban on SIMI”, Hindu, August 6, 2008, at http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/06/stories/2008080658400100.htm
• 2. “Court stays order lifting ban on SIMI”, Hindu, August 7, 2008, at http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/07/stories/2008080757770100.htm