LG gives permission to prosecute writer Arundhati Roy and former professor Hussain under UAPA

Delhi LG VK Saxena has approved prosecution of writer Arundhati Roy and former professor of international law at the Central University of Kashmir, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, under Section 45 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Allegedly accused of giving inflammatory and anti-India speeches

It is worth noting that Arundhati Roy and Hussain (Sheikh Showkat Hussain) had allegedly given inflammatory and anti-India speeches at a conference organized under the banner of Azadi – The Only Way at the LTG Auditorium on Copernicus Marg on October 21, 2010.

Among the issues discussed in the conference, the most important was the separation of Kashmir from India. Those who gave speeches in the conference included Syed Ali Shah Geelani, SAR Geelani (anchor of the conference and main accused in the Parliament attack case), Arundhati Roy, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain and Maoist supporter Vara Vara Rao.

Geelani and Arundhati Roy are accused of blatantly propagating the fact that Kashmir was never a part of India and that it was forcibly occupied by the armed forces of India. It even said that every possible effort should be made for the independence of Jammu and Kashmir from India.

2010 case

Sushil Pandit had filed a complaint under Section 156(3) of the CrPC before the New Delhi Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The court directed to register an FIR in the matter on November 27, 2010, after which a case was registered under Sections 124-A/153A/153B/504 and 505 of the IPC and 13 UA (P) Act.

In October 2023, the LG had given approval under Section 196 of the CrPC to prosecute the above accused for the offences punishable under Sections 153A/153B and 505 of the IPC. It has now given approval for prosecution under Section 45(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.