Indian court clears Kashmiri men after years in jail under anti-terror law
Acquittal after seven years in jail raises concerns over misuse of UAPA and prolonged detention of Muslims in terror cases without evidence
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Two men from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir have been acquitted after spending more than seven years in prison under India’s anti-terror law, in a case that has renewed scrutiny over prolonged detentions and the use of stringent security legislation against Muslim accused.
A Delhi court cleared Jamsheed Zahoor Paul and Parvaiz Rashid, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove charges of involvement in terrorist activities or alleged links to ISIS. The court also raised serious doubts about the credibility of evidence presented by police, particularly regarding the alleged recovery of arms and ammunition.
According to a report by independent outlet The Wire, the two were 19 and 24 years old at the time of their arrest in 2018 and spent 2,753 days in custody as undertrial prisoners. Charges were framed only in 2022, and bail was denied as recently as 2024, extending their incarceration despite the absence of a concluded trial.
In its judgment, the court noted inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, including questions over whether official documents were prepared before or after the alleged recovery of weapons. It also observed that no independent witnesses were presented to support key claims, undermining the reliability of the investigation.
Rights group Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), which supported the accused, said the verdict underscores a pattern in which individuals are detained for years under stringent laws before being cleared due to lack of evidence.
Advocates say such cases highlight structural concerns around the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which allows extended detention and makes bail difficult, often resulting in long periods of imprisonment without conviction.
For the two men, the acquittal ends a years-long legal battle, but also reflects the human cost of delayed justice. Observers note that prolonged incarceration, stigma and lost years cannot be reversed, even after courts dismiss the charges.
Analysts say the case adds to growing concerns over the use of anti-terror frameworks in India, where legal processes themselves can become punitive, particularly for marginalized communities.
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