The Delhi Police Special Cell has invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a FIR alleging a conspiracy to disrupt essential supplies and services in India and incite damage to property during the farmers’ protest.
According to Section 15(1)(a)(iii) of the UAPA, “disruption” is defined as causing harm through the use of bombs, dynamite, firearms, or other hazardous substances.
The FIR includes charges under Sections 15, 16, and 17 of the UAPA, as well as Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code, for promoting enmity between different groups and raising funds for terrorism.
The FIR links foreign funding to critical reporting as grounds for invoking anti-terror charges and accuses NewsClick of spreading false narratives to discredit the government’s efforts during the pandemic.
Referring to a 1994 ruling, the FIR states that terrorism goes beyond mere disturbance of public order and poses a grave threat to the country’s sovereignty.
Interestingly, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had announced the withdrawal of 86 criminal cases against farmers involved in the protest against the farm laws, which were repealed in November 2021.
