Preparing for terror act also UAPA offence

It is a matter of public knowledge that there are several terrorist organisations which are waging a war against India and are involved continuously in planning and execution of terrorist activities. -DELHI HIGH COURT, adjudicating bail plea of alleged LeT member

- Shruti Kakkar

The Delhi high court has ruled that preparing to commit an act likely to cause death, injury, loss, or destruction constitutes a "terrorist act" under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The judgment clarifies that preparatory actions fall within the ambit of the anti-terror law, which aims to prevent grave offences threatening national security.

"Thus, upon a conjoint reading of sections 15 and 18 of UAPA, it is clear that preparation for the commission of a terrorist act would also include an act that is likely to cause death, loss, or damage," stated a bench of justices, Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma, in a January 10 verdict, which was released later.