Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the prosecution of well-known author Arundhati Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain. This decision comes under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for a speech Roy allegedly gave in 2010, which authorities claim was “provocative.”
The prosecution relates to an event in 2010, where several speakers, including Roy and Hussain, allegedly made statements supporting the separation of Kashmir from Bharat. The event also featured speeches by the late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, SAR Geelani, and Varavara Rao.
The complaint was filed by activist Sushil Pandit, who argued that the speeches promoted the idea that Kashmir was never part of Bharat and was forcibly occupied by the Indian Armed Forces. The complaint led to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) following directions from the Metropolitan Magistrate Court in New Delhi on November 27, 2010.
Delhi LG, VK Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and former Professor of International Law in Central University of Kashmir, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain. The FIR in the matter was registered on a complaint made by Sushil Pandit on 28.10.2010. Roy and Hussain had… pic.twitter.com/HzvVcCayg7
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024
“Roy and Hussain had allegedly made provocative speeches at a conference organised under the banner of ‘Azadi – The Only Way’ on 21.10.2010 at LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi. The issues discussed and spoken about at the conference propagated the ‘separation of Kashmir from India’,” the Governor’s office said.
Last October, Saxena had also approved the prosecution of Roy and Hussain under Section 196 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) for offenses punishable under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The current sanction under UAPA adds a new dimension to the case, highlighting the severity of the charges.
Officials from Raj Niwas stated that the speeches made at the 2010 conference were aimed at promoting the independence of Jammu and Kashmir from Bharat. The recordings of these speeches, provided by the complainant, played a crucial role in the investigation.
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Arundhati Roy has been an outspoken critic of the Modi government, often voicing her opposition on various issues. Her involvement in this case has attracted significant attention due to her prominent public profile.
The decision to sanction prosecution under UAPA is a significant development in the ongoing legal battle concerning the 2010 event. The authorities continue to investigate the case, with Roy and Hussain facing serious charges for their alleged statements advocating Kashmir’s separation from Bharat.
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