Delhi L-G approves to prosecute Arundhati Roy, Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the UAPA
On Friday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor, V K Saxena sanctioned the prosecution of author and activist Arundhati Roy under the stringent anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), in a case registered in 2010 over her provocative speeches on Kashmir.
Approval has also been given to prosecute Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a former Professor of International Law at the Central University of Kashmir, under the UAPA.
The fresh sanction to prosecute the duo under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act came eight months after L-G granted permission to prosecute them under sections 153A, 153B, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code.
The FIR against Roy and Hussain was registered following an order of a Metropolitan Magistrate court in New Delhi, based on a complaint made by Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir, on October 28, 2010, according to Raj Bhavan officials.
“Roy and Hussain had allegedly made provocative speeches at a conference organized under the banner of ‘Azadi – The Only Way‘ on 21.10.2010 at LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi. The issues discussed and spoken about at the conference propagated the ‘separation of Kashmir from India’,” the Governor’s office said.
Sushil Pandit, the complainant, approached the Metropolitan Magistrate Court in New Delhi seeking direction to the police to initiate a probe, and the court ordered the registration of an FIR in November 2010.
The Raj Bhavan, in October 2023, granted sanction to prosecute them under Section 196 of the CrPC for the commission of offences punishable under different sections of the Indian Penal Code: 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief).
Apart from Roy and Hussain, others who participated in the event included the Kashmiri separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani, who was acquitted in the Parliament attack case, and activist Varavara Rao. All three died as the case progressed.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- ED raids Bengaluru offices of George Soros-backed Open Society Foundations in FEMA probe - March 18, 2025
- NASA astronauts returning to Earth aboard SpaceX Dragon after extended ISS stay due to Starliner failure - March 18, 2025
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raises concerns over Khalistani activities in meeting with US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard - March 18, 2025
The delay of any kind is becoming beyond questing in this country, because if the independent judiciary cannot be questioned on that count, so how can anyone else be? With fixed terms, virtual untouchability and no need to ever face voters, once in power the capacity to rebuild or destroy is unlimited. More and more power is being grabbed to further secure and consolidate the hold. Not a very healthy trend and will eventually lead to street violence and killings of people in power, like in many countries of central and south America
Lalu Prasad Yadav
she is 62 years the case will take another 10 years. she will go for appeal if she is alive. come on sir this is waste of time for Govt lawyer and HC time. On this topic your channel published an article I have not read. taken it easy. it is like LPY justice.