UAPA Charges Dropped: Relief for SKUAST-K Students as Court Grants Bail

SRINAGAR :  Seven students from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K) in Ganderbal have been granted bail after facing Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) charges. The accusations stemmed from their alleged celebration of India’s World Cup defeat against Australia on November 19, accompanied by accusations of raising anti-national slogans.

Initially charged under Section 13 of UAPA for allegedly inciting separatist ideology, the students found reprieve as the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Ganderbal withdrew the UAPA charges during a Saturday hearing. A police officer confirmed that the court granted bail to all seven students, emphasizing the withdrawal of UAPA charges.

The Jammu and Kashmir police had accused the students of raising pro-Pakistan slogans during the World Cup final against Australia. The charges also included sections 505 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for ‘public mischief’ and ‘criminal intimidation,’ respectively.

The police spokesperson clarified that the UAPA Section 13 charges focused on unlawful activities rather than planning or executing terror acts, suggesting a nuanced approach in the legal proceedings. The withdrawal of UAPA charges opens a new chapter in the legal discourse surrounding the incident, hinting at a broader context supported by written complaints submitted during the proceedings.