From 2020 to 2022, a total of 2,615 cases were registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), according to data revealed by the Minister of State for Home Affairs in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The UAPA is a stringent law designed to prevent unlawful activities and associations that threaten the sovereignty and integrity of India.
The breakdown of these cases shows an increase over three years: 796 cases were registered in 2020, 814 in 2021, and 1,005 in 2022.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes annual crime data in its report titled ‘Crime in India’, with the latest report from the year 2022.
Jammu and Kashmir reported the highest number of UAPA cases during this period.
Cases filed in the region numbered 287 in 2020, 289 in 2021, and 371 in 2022, totalling 947 cases from 2020 to 2022.
This represents over 36 per cent of the total UAPA cases registered nationwide.
Under the UAPA, individuals found guilty of engaging in unlawful activities or associations that threaten national security can face severe penalties.
The act covers various offences, including terrorism and membership of terrorist organisations, with penalties ranging from imprisonment of up to seven years to life imprisonment.
In certain cases, the death penalty can also be imposed, reflecting the law's rigorous stance on protecting the country's sovereignty and integrity.
The increase in UAPA cases, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, highlights ongoing g security challenges and the legal system's focus on addressing threats to national security.
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