THE DANGEROUS IMPLICATIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT DENYING BAIL TO UMAR KHALID AND SHARJEEL IMAM https://pucl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18Jan2025-PUCL-Position-Paper-SCUmarSHarjeel.pdf 18th Jan 20026
the judgment indicates that the Supreme Court has given the supreme imprimatur to the criminalisation of the constitutional freedoms of
speech, association and assembly, especially when exercised by Muslim citizens of India. It also lays down a troubling interpretation of the UAPA with serious implications for the future of the constitutional freedoms of speech, association and assembly.
PUCL states that the Supreme Court judgment, which has ignored set precedent and broadened the scope of terrorism under UAPA to include acts of civil disobedience and democratic protest by citizens, requires judicial review and scrutiny. UAPA has been systematically used against political dissenters and protesting citizens since its enactment. The amendments over the last decade have made the provisions even more draconian, leading to denial of bail in most cases, even where no or questionable evidence exists
Please see the full video of PUCL Dialogues on the issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4uASZySICY&pp=0gcJCU8KAYcqIYzv