Only 2 UAPA Cases Quashed Between 2018-2022: Government Report

Fast Summary

• Between 2018 and 2022, only two cases filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were quashed by courts across India.
• Data presented in Parliament revealed that a total of 6,503 individuals were charge-sheeted under UAPA during this period, with 252 convictions reported.
• Kerala courts quashed the two UAPA cases in 2022.
• Law enforcement agencies arrested a total of 8,947 individuals under UAPA from 2018 to 2022.Jammu & kashmir recorded the highest arrests (2,633), followed by Uttar Pradesh (2,162).
• Annual breakdown of arrests:

– 2018: 1,421 arrests
– 2019: 1,948 arrests
– 2020: 1,321 arrests
– 2021: 1,621 arrests
– 2022: Largest annual figure at 2,636

Indian Opinion Analysis
The data highlights the increasing application of the stringent UAPA law in recent years but brings attention to relatively low conviction rates compared to arrest and charge-sheet figures. While its use may underline law enforcement’s intent to curb terrorism and serious crimes against national security-particularly in sensitive regions like Jammu & Kashmir-the disparity between convictions and total charge-sheets raises questions about judicial scrutiny or evidentiary standards. The insights into Kerala’s quashed cases could indicate potential misapplication or individual discrepancies requiring further investigation into procedural practices.

India’s growing reliance on special laws like UAPA suggests challenges balancing rights with security needs-a key debate policymakers must address going forward.

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