A Delhi court has acquitted two men after they spent more than seven years in prison under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The decision, made on Thursday by Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal at the Patiala House Courts, highlighted significant doubts regarding the prosecution’s evidence, specifically questioning the police’s claims of recovering firearms from the accused.
The individuals in question, Jamsheed Zahoor Paul and Parvaiz Rashid, faced serious charges including conspiracy and membership in a terrorist organization, alongside allegations of illegal possession of firearms. Their case began back in 2018 when they were arrested following police intelligence suggesting that they and other associates from Jammu and Kashmir were involved with the terrorist group Islamic State and had obtained weapons from Uttar Pradesh.
On September 6, 2018, the Delhi Police detained both men near the historic Jama Masjid, claiming to have recovered a pistol and five live cartridges from each. Despite the serious nature of these accusations, Judge Bansal noted that the prosecution failed to substantiate its claims. He remarked on the “great deal of doubt” surrounding the police’s narrative, indicating a lack of credible evidence to support their case.
Moreover, the first information report (FIR) included two additional suspects: Asif Nazir Dar, who passed away in 2018 prior to his arrest, and Adil Wani, who remains at large. The police’s assertions of communication between Paul, Rashid, and other suspected operatives of the Islamic State further complicated the case, yet these allegations lacked sufficient proof.
This ruling raises critical questions about the application of the UAPA, which has been under scrutiny due to concerns regarding abuse and the potential for wrongful incarceration. The lengthy detention of Paul and Rashid, without conclusive evidence leading to conviction, underscores the necessity for reform within the legal framework surrounding anti-terror laws. As public awareness grows, the demand for greater accountability in the use of such stringent measures continues to resonate within Indian society.
