UAPA 1967 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Recently, the Delhi High Court dismissed pleas challenging the arrest and police remand of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty under the UAPA.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)

• Passed: in 1967.
• Aims: To effective prevention of unlawful activities and associations in India.
• The Act grants complete authority to the central government. 
• If the Centre perceives an activity as illegal, it can proclaim it as such through an Official Gazette.
• Applicability: Under the act, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged.
• Punishment: The act has the death penalty and life imprisonment as the highest punishments.
• Duration of punishment: Under section 43D, police are empowered to detain the accused in police custody for 30 days and in judicial custody for a period of 180 days without the charge sheet.
• UAPA Apply: Both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged.
• Meaning of Unlawful Activity: It pertains to any action by an individual or group with the intent to undermine India's territorial integrity and sovereignty.