Approach HC first: SC refuses to hear UAPA challenges directly

THE LEAD PETITION FILED IN 2019 BY SAJAL AWASTHI ARGUES THAT THE AMENDMENTS UNDERMINE DUE PROCESS

- Utkarsh Anand

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a clutch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), making it clear that the petitioners must first approach the jurisdictional high courts.

The petitions question the balance between national security and individual rights.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna observed that high courts are competent to decide these matters in the first instance and emphasised that the apex court should not serve as the first forum of adjudication. "We are very clear that we will not become the first court of adjudication. Let the petitioners go to respective high courts first," the bench, also comprising justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, stated.