Recent divergent rulings under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act highlight the urgent need for pragmatism and uniform interpretation

By Nayakara Veeresha

Yet another bail hearing; yet another denial. This has become a recurring saga of Umar Khalid and others in the alleged Delhi riots case of 2020. Even after more than five years, the trial remains far from conclusion. Within a span of just ten days, two High Courts have delivered contrasting verdicts under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) — Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid Vs State of NCT of Delhi (2025) and Ashish Kumar vs State of Punjab (2025).

On 12 September, however, the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Ashish Kumar vs State of Punjab granted bail to a person arrested under UAPA and other penal secti

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