Mar 4, 2022

What should you know about the UAPA law in India?

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has criticized India for its use of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and called it worrying, especially in reference to the Jammu and Kashmir region which has the highest number of UAPA cases.

 

What is an ‘unlawful activity’?

The UAPA aims to effectively prevent certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations, and also deals with terrorist activities.

An “unlawful activity” can include:

  • Any action which is done to bring about the surrender of Indian territory.
  • Any action that supports the withdrawal of a part of Indian territory from the larger Union of India.
  • Actions that question or disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.
  • Any action which causes (or wants to cause) discontent against India.

The UAPA punishes anyone who takes part in unlawful activities, or who assists in committing such unlawful activities. If you carry out any unlawful activity, you can be punished with imprisonment for up to seven years, and a fine.

What are the punishments for terrorist activities under UAPA?

 

Unlawful activities are defined broadly as given above in the UAPA. However, the UAPA narrows down on several terrorist activities which pose a threat to the integrity and sovereignty of India. Given below are the punishments for various types of terrorist activities under UAPA:

 

Terrorist Activities If it results in death: The punishment is life imprisonment, and a fine.

In any other case: The punishment is jail time between 5 years and life imprisonment along with a fine.

Organising Terrorist Camps The punishment is jail time between 5 years and life imprisonment along with a fine.
Conspiracy The punishment is jail time between 5 years and life imprisonment along with a fine.
Recruiting any Person(s) for Terrorist Activities The punishment is jail time between 5 years and life imprisonment along with a fine.
Harbouring a Terrorist The punishment is jail time between 3 years and life imprisonment along with a fine.
Being a Member of Terrorist Gang The punishment is life imprisonment, and a fine.
Holding Proceeds of Terrorism

 

The punishment is life imprisonment, and a fine.

 

Threatening Witnesses 

 

The punishment is jail time between 3 years and life imprisonment along with a fine.

 

Can you get bail if you are arrested under the UAPA law?

Special laws like the UAPA have additional conditions for an accused person to get bail.

The UAPA has special bail conditions for a person accused of being involved in a terrorist activity or involved with a terrorist organisation. In such cases, the person cannot get bail unless the government’s lawyer has heard the bail application of the person asking to be released. Further, a person accused of terrorist involvement cannot get bail if the court thinks that there is a reasonable possibility that he actually committed the offence that he has been accused of. 

If a UAPA offence is committed by a person who is not an Indian citizen, or a person who has entered India illegally, the court will not give bail. Such a person can get bail only in very exceptional circumstances and the court has to record the reasons for granting bail.

If you want to know more about bail, check out our explainer.

Related Weekly Posts

March 04 2022

What should you know about the UAPA law in India?

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has criticized India for its use of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and called it worrying, especially in reference to the Jammu and Kashmir region which has the highest number of UAPA cases.   What is an ‘unlawful activity’? The UAPA aims to effectively […]
Read More >

March 06 2022

How can political parties advertise during elections?

 The Karnataka High Court issued an order to the State to remove hoardings and billboards which display the achievements of politicians and/or political parties. What is political advertisement? Advertising for political propaganda or to pursue a political agenda is known as political advertising. Political advertising is allowed, but regulated. How are political advertisements regulated? The […]
Read More >

February 24 2022

Did You Know: Proof of the demand for a bribe is necessary to convict corrupt officials

The Supreme Court has said that to hold a public servant guilty of corruption, it is not enough if tainted currency notes are recovered from their possession. There needs to be proof that the public servant demanded a bribe. Without such proof of demand, the public servant cannot be held guilty of using corrupt or […]
Read More >

February 26 2022

Has a public servant ever asked you for a bribe? How does Indian law tackle corruption?

The Supreme Court has temporarily suspended a Karnataka High Court order upholding a corruption complaint against Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. The case was initiated through a complaint filed by a private investor alleging corruption in a housing project proposal for middle and low – income groups in Bengaluru.   Who can  be punished for […]
Read More >

March 02 2022

Is gold smuggling a terrorist act?

The Supreme Court has agreed to examine whether gold smuggling can be considered a terrorist act under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). Earlier in February, the Kerala High Court had held that the mere act of gold smuggling, which is covered under the Customs Act, does not amount to a “terrorist act” under […]
Read More >

February 23 2022

Anti-Defection Law: How do politicians lose their MP/MLA status?

The Supreme Court has asked the Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly to respond to a plea filed by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) against the merger of six BSP MLAs into the ruling Congress party in Rajasthan. In this context, let us look at the law on disqualification of legislators on the grounds of […]
Read More >

March 04 2022

Over 1 lakh children in need of care and protection after two waves of Covid-19 in India

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has said that during the two Covid-19 waves between April 1, 2020 and August 23, 2021, a total of 8,161 children were orphaned, 92,475 children lost either parent, and 396 were abandoned in India.    What should you do if you come across an orphaned or […]
Read More >

March 05 2022

What are unlawful and terrorist activities under Indian law?

After 12 years of confinement, the Delhi High Court has granted bail to an undertrial prisoner accused of being a part of the 2008 Mumbai blasts and arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), which regulates unlawful and terrorist activities. The Court said that the prisoner’s right to a speedy trial was violated. […]
Read More >