Overview
- AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said amendments made when P. Chidambaram was home minister strengthened the UAPA in ways that prolong incarceration of undertrials.
- He cited section 15(a), highlighting the phrase “by any other means of whatever nature,” as overly subjective and open to misuse.
- Owaisi pointed to clause 43D, which permits detention for up to 180 days without a chargesheet, and claimed minorities are routinely held for the maximum period.
- The Supreme Court earlier this week denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots ‘larger conspiracy’ case.
- Five co-accused—Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad—were granted bail, with the Court saying Khalid and Imam stand on a different footing.