SC allows withdrawal of 8 UAPA petitions

The Supreme Court granted permission on Thursday for the withdrawal of eight petitions challenging various aspects of India's anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The petitioners, including student activist Umar Khalid, who sought bail and challenged the constitutional validity of UAPA provisions, were directed to approach their respective high courts.

The bench of justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal allowed the withdrawal, emphasizing that petitioners have the liberty to file proceedings before the high court within two weeks.

Among the withdrawn petitions were a public interest litigation (PIL) by the Foundation of Media Professionals, a writ petition by Biyumma (mother of an under-trial prisoner in the 2008 Bangalore blasts), and petitions by individuals, including lawyers and journalists linked to the 2021 Tripura violence.

The central government and Tripura government had objected to the maintainability of the petitions. Advocates sought an extension of the interim arrest shield granted on November 17, 2021, but the bench declined, suggesting the state take no action for two weeks. This marks the conclusion of the last batch of UAPA petitions pending in the Supreme Court.