UAPA charges dropped against 7 SKUAST students, bail granted

Srinagar, Dec 02: In a significant development, a local court in Ganderbal district has granted bail to seven students enrolled at college associated with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKAUST-K ) in Ganderbal.
They were initially charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), for their alleged celebration of India’s World Cup defeat against Australia on November 19 and raising anti-national slogans.
The Jammu and Kashmir police had accused the students of raising pro-Pakistan slogans during the World Cup final against Australia.
A police officer informed Rising Kashmir that during the Saturday hearing at the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Ganderbal, the court was notified that charges under UAPA against the seven students in the bail petition have been withdrawn
“Now all of them have been granted bail. Two days back, we had assured parents that we will look into the issue,” he said.
The court’s decision to grant bail came after the investigation officer (IO) dropped UAPA charges against the students. This development reflects the evolving dynamics surrounding the case and raises questions about the initial severity of the charges.
Jammu and Kashmir Students Association National convener, Nasir Khuehami, in a post on X said, “The UAPA charges against seven Kashmiri students have been dropped. All seven students, enrolled at (SKUAST) in Ganderbal, Kashmir, were initially arrested and charged under UAPA after Australia defeated India in the World Cup on November 19.”
He said they have now been granted bail, with Adv Shafiq Bhat serving as the counsel representing the students.
The incident unfolded when the police arrested the seven students in Ganderbal district for purportedly celebrating India’s loss in the World Cup final. The seven students were arrested on November 20.
Earlier police spokesman said that the issue extended beyond mere expressions of support for Pakistan during the cricket match.
“The slogans were employed to intimidate individuals with dissenting opinions and to identify and vilify those who chose to distance themselves from the pro-Pakistan sentiments.
The spokesperson stated, “It is not about dissent or freedom of expression. It is about terrorizing others who may be nourishing pro-India feelings or anti-Pakistan feelings or disagreeing.
The police highlighted written complaints supporting these claims, suggesting a broader context to the incident.
The charges initially invoked included Section 13 of UAPA, which pertains to inciting, advocating, and encouraging separatist ideology.
The police spokesperson clarified that this provision is softer compared to other sections of the act, focusing on unlawful activities rather than planning or executing terror acts. Additionally, sections 505 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were invoked for ‘public mischief’ and ‘criminal intimidation,’ respectively.