DGP issues guidelines for filing cases under UAPA

Thiruvananthapuram: Amid criticism from various quarters over police allegedly slapping sedition charges against a theatre artiste and an activist, the police chief Friday issued a set of guidelines for registering cases, especially under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and IPC section 124A (sedition).

Sanction should be obtained from district superintendent of police before registering FIR under UAPA, sedition charges and criminal acts under NIA Act and it should be done only if there is strong evidence for that, State DGP Loknath Behra said in a release here.

Earlier in the day, apparently expressing reservation over the police action, theruling CPI-M had said LDF has a declared police policy and UAPA should be slapped only against persons involved in terror acts.

CPI-M State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan in an article in party mouthpiece 'Deshabhimani' had also accused the previous UDF government of widely misusing UAPA and IPC section (124A).

Balakrishnan's article came at a time when the LDF government and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who holds the Home portfolio, were widely being criticised for the action against artist Kamal C Chavara over allegedly showing disrespect to the national anthem and activist Nadeer Gul Mohammed for his alleged Maoist links.

The police chief further said senior police officials should monitor while cases were being registered and FIRs were being prepared.

The DGP also said it has been found there was not enough cautiousness while registering cases including against human right activists. The guidelines were issued in view of this, he added.