No Amendments To UAPA Under Consideration; Adequate Safeguards There: Centre Tells Lok Sabha
Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs Mr.Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha by a written reply that the government was not considering any amendments to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967. The reply also states that "there are adequate constitutional, institutional and statutory safeguards including inbuilt safeguards in the UAPA itself to prevent misuse of...
Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs Mr.Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha by a written reply that the government was not considering any amendments to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967. The reply also states that "there are adequate constitutional, institutional and statutory safeguards including inbuilt safeguards in the UAPA itself to prevent misuse of the law."
The reply was in response to questions posed by members of Lok Sabha seeking information on the people arrested under UAPA.
- Number of people below age of 25 years arrested under UAPA in the past three years
- Whether the government plans to amend the Act in light of high number of acquittals and for preventing harassment of innocent people.
- Whether there have been any custodial deaths of persons arrested under the Law.
The Minister informed the House by his written reply that the National Crime Records Bureau compiles information on conviction and arrest rates under its 'Crime in India' reports. The reply annexes state-wise data regarding persons arrested, persons on bail and persons acquitted under UAPA from 2018-2020. The data shows that the highest arrests under UAPA have been made in the states of Uttar Pradesh (361) and Manipur (225) in the year 2020. It maybe noted that according to the data annexed, not a single person has been convicted in the past three years in the state of Mainpur.
The reply also annexes state-wise data on people under the age of 30 years during the years 2018-2020.
It also states that data regarding period of detention is not maintained by NCRB.
In response to the question regarding alleged harassment of persons under the law and proposals to amend provisions, the Minister informs that "There are adequate Constitutional, institutional and statutory safeguards including inbuilt safeguards in the UAPA itself, to prevent misuse of the law…Presently no amendments in the UAPA are under consideration."
The written reply also states that information regarding custodial deaths of persons in custody under the UAPA is not maintained by NCRB.