Is there anyway I can see why someone was banned without going through the ban list?

What would be the point of the ban list if you could see why they were banned otherwise?
So, to my knowledge, the answer is no.

Why precisely someone is banned is none of your business in the first place.

^ I think its only the forum moderators who can see the ban list.

Incorrect. Click on community and then ban list and you can see it.

So I take that as a no?

There is no other way to see the ban list.

thread over