- 1 Prosecution of former IIOJK law professor also approved.
- 2 Kashmiri politico Mufti surprised over Roy’s prosecution.
- 3 Prosecution to take place following complaint made in 2010.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the prosecution of Indian author Arundhati Roy under India’s stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for her “provocative” speech at a 2010 conference on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), as reported by India Today.
Saxena has also sanctioned the legal action against Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a former law professor from Kashmir who was a speaker at the same event where Roy gave her address. The conference additionally included Kashmiri speakers Syed Ali Shah Geelani anded Abdul Rahman Geelani.
Officials from the governor’s office, also referred to as Raj Bhavan, stated that the first information report (FIR) against Roy and Hussain was filed following a directive from a Metropolitan Magistrate court in New Delhi. This action was taken in response to a complaint lodged by Sushil Pandit in October 2010.
Pandit accused Roy and Hussain of delivering “provocative speeches at a conference titled ‘Azadi – The Only’” in New Delhi, claiming they discussed topics that “promoted the ‘secession of Kashmir from India,’” reports India Today.
Upon hearing this, former chief minister of IIOJK Mehbooba Mufti, expressed her astonishment and remarked that the “Indian state continues to infringe upon fundamental rights.”
What is UAPA Act?
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), enacted in 1967 to curb unlawful activities associations in India, imposes death penalty and life imprisonment as its most severe punishments.
The term “unlawful activities” denotes actions by individuals or groups aimed at challenging the “territorial integrity and sovereignty” of the nation.
the UAPA, charges can be brought against both Indian citizens and foreign nationals. The law applies equally to offenders, even if the offense occurs outside India.
