In a significant development, Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi and three of his associates have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with their alleged involvement in the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests that rocked the state in December 2019.
While addressing media persons here, Tharoor asserted that the people are sent to jail without any crime due to which people do not get timely justice.
The apex court declined to interfere and cancel their bail term in view of the gravity of the offence (conspiracy to commit terrorist acts across the country) and the fact that only 1.5 years had been spent in incarceration.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah cited the outfit’s involvement in forbidden activities to separate J&K from India and establish Islamic rule as reason for the action.
“UAPA is used against terrorists, but you (the J&K administration) are using it against journalists, human rights activists and students to ruin their career,” the PDP leader pointed out.
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the membership of a banned organisation is bound to be held as an activity against the integrity and sovereignty of the country.
Rai said these 23 individuals were designated as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,1967, during 2022 and 2023 till date.
Lawyers associated with the case said that the Tribunal noted that the members of PFI and its affiliates are indulging in secessionist activities which were against the social fabric of the country.
The individual declared as a terrorist is Harwinder Singh Sandhu@Rinda. The two organisations identified as terrorist organisations are Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF).
The remarks of the apex court came while it was hearing appeals of Delhi Police challenging the Delhi High Court's June 15, 2021, order granting bail to PinjraTod activists Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal, and Jamia student Asif Iqbal Tanha in the Delhi riots case.
