Issues Related to Prolonged Detentions and Delays Under UAPA
Recent cases highlight the impact of prolonged detentions under the UAPA, with individuals spending years in custody without trial.
A significant portion of UAPA cases remain under investigation for extended periods.
Data shows that 50% of UAPA cases were pending for over three years by the end of 2022, the second highest among various crime categories.
High-profile cases, such as that of Umar Khalid, show repeated postponements in bail hearings due to judicial absences.
The Supreme Court has emphasized that bail should be the norm, yet many remain incarcerated without timely trials.
The trial process for UAPA cases is notably sluggish, with a marked increase in the percentage of cases pending for over three years, rising from 40% in 2019 to 50% in 2022.
Between 2017 and 2022, less than 10% of individuals arrested under the UAPA were convicted or acquitted, indicating a severe backlog and delays in trials.
Only 23% of those arrested under the UAPA managed to secure bail, with a mere 3% convicted and 7% acquitted. The remaining 67% remain imprisoned.
These issues underscore a pressing need for reforms in the UAPA framework to ensure fair and timely justice, enhancing protections for individuals under this law.
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