Punjab sees nearly two-fold rise in cases under stringent UAPA

Saurabh Malik

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 16

Punjab witnessed the doubling of UAPA cases in a year, rising from an average of just over one per month in 2021 to nearly two in 2022, reflecting a significant uptick in the application of the stringent law, although orders of courts indicate not all cases justified the use of the law’s provisions.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Punjab recorded 25 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) cases in 2022, up from 14 in 2021, marking a 78 per cent increase. The statistics place Punjab ahead of other states like Haryana (11 cases in 2022) and Tamil Nadu (four), but behind Jammu & Kashmir (371) and Manipur (167). Punjab’s increase is part of a broader national trend as UAPA cases across India rose from 796 in 2020 to 1,005 in 2022. Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim reported zero cases throughout the same period.

The data was made public by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai in the Rajya Sabha recently.

The authorities insist a rise in UAPA cases in Punjab reflects ongoing security concerns and a heightened legal response to perceived threats, underscoring the state’s intensified efforts to address unlawful activities and terrorism. UAPA cases are critical as these involve serious allegations that impact national security and individual liberties. But not all cases required the slapping of offences under the UAPA. The Punjab and Haryana High Court in December last year directed the police commissioners and SPs to ensure investigating officers exercised extreme caution before including UAPA offences in FIRs.

The HC on August 6 granted bail to a UAPA accused citing the right to a speedy trial and “absence of adequate material to justify further incarceration”. In another case, the HC observed that an SSP invoked the UAPA without fully understanding its applicability, leading to a casual approach in the probe. Charges under the UAPA were dropped by Mansa Sessions Judge in December 2015 and the trial court acquitted all the accused, including police officials, vide judgment dated November 30, 2019. The allegations were regarding supply of arms and ammunition to Naxalites.