72% rise in UAPA cases and arrests between 2015-2019
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Delhi: The number of arrests in cases registered under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act) registered a 72% increase during 2019 over the number in 2015, as per data given by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The figures provided by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy in reply to an unstarred question by member Anto Antony, also showed that a total of 1226 cases were registered across the country and 1948 persons arrested across the country.
The highest number of cases registered during 2019 was in Uttar Pradesh, i.e 498 followed by Manipur: 306. Tamil Nadu stood third with 270, followed by Jammu & Kashmir 255, Jharkhand 105 and Assam 87.
The steepest rise in cases registered and arrests made was also in Uttar Pradesh, with 498 arrests and 81 cases registered in 2019 compared with 23 and 6 respectively in 2015.
The Minister's reply also mentioned that "cases under the UAPA are investigated by the State police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). As far as the NIA is concerned, so far 48 special courts have been constituted across the country for the speedy trial of terror related case."
The reply however, did not address the specific queries raised by the member whether the Government has any plan to set up fast track courts to handle cases registered under UAPA in each State and Union Territory; and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard.
In an earlier reply by the government to the House, it had been stated that only 2.2 % of cases registered under the UAPA between 2016-2019 ended in convictions by court.
