A young Muslim man named Zakariya from Kerala has spent 16 years in jail in India without being found guilty of any crime. He was arrested at age 19 by police in Karnataka for supposedly being involved in the Bengaluru bomb blasts that occurred in 2008. His long time in jail brings up worries about how the UAPA law is used.
The UAPA, or Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, is meant to stop terrorism. However, some people think the law is too broad and can be used unfairly. Zakariya’s case is especially hard on his family.
His mother, Beyummah, who is in her sixties, has been fighting for her son’s release for many years. She even went to the Supreme Court of India five years ago to question why her son was being held for so long without a trial. Her struggle shows the difficulties families face when a loved one is held under this law.
Critics argue that Zakariya’s situation shows how the UAPA can be misused. They say it can lead to people being held in jail indefinitely, which goes against their basic rights. The law’s definition of “unlawful activities” is so wide that it allows for arrests and long jail sentences without enough proof.
Zakariya’s ongoing imprisonment reminds everyone of the human cost of anti-terrorism laws. His case raises important questions about delays in the courts and the need for a fairer legal system. The outcome of his case could affect how the UAPA is used in the future.