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Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Delhi HC says spreading radical ideology on social media is within the ambit of UAPA
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Delhi High Court ruled that using social media to disseminate radical ideology, even if there is no physical act of terror, can attract UAPA provisions while declining a bail plea of an operative of " The Resistance Front (TRF)", a terror High Court noted that the accused, Arsalan Feroze Ahenger , posted pictures of terrorists and incited people to commit heinous crimes and, if released, there would be a possibility of him tampering with the evidence as he is digitally bench of Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar expanded the definitions of Section 18 of UAPA noting it is "framed in such a broad way that even the usage of social media or any digital activity for the purpose of disseminating radical information and ideology falls within its ambit, and it is not necessary that the action (of the accused) must be a physical activity".The bench found enough evidence against the accused to deny bail, saying that the provisions in the section deal with punishment for conspiracy, attempt, advocacy, abetment, or incitement to terrorist the case, NIA said Ahenger was associated with Mehran Yaseen Shalla, a terror operative working for TRF and and two others were killed in an encounter on November 24, 2021. Ahenger, under Shalla's influence, was active on various social media platforms, on which radical content was shared, the NIA the NIA said that the accused created several groups on social media like Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind and Shaikoo Naikoo, apart from multiple Gmail IDs through which radical views were expressed, aiming at motivating and radicalising vulnerable youth to join terrorist groups like TRF."The material on record also indicates that the messages shared by the appellant have the tendency to incite people to join terrorist activities. The appellant also used images, videos, etc, of slain Mehran Yaseen Shalla for glorifying terrorist activities, and the appellant has also been propagating the radical ideology of TRF to create unrest within the country," the court observed in its defendant said the trial court failed to appreciate there is no material on record indicating his client's association with TRF and, therefore, UAPA cannot be invoked against him.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Using social media to spread radical ideology invites UAPA: Delhi high court
NEW DELHI: Using social media to disseminate radical ideology, even if there is no physical act of terror, can attract UAPA provisions, the said, declining the bail plea of an operative of " (TRF)", a terror outfit. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now HC underscored that the accused posted photos of terrorists and incited people to commit heinous acts and, if released, there is a high possibility of him tampering with the evidence as he is digitally adept. Expanding on the definition of Section 18 of UAPA, a bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar noted that it is "framed in such a broad way that even the usage of social media or any digital activity for the purpose of disseminating radical information and ideology falls within its ambit, and it is not necessary that the action (of the accused) must be a physical activity". HC found enough evidence against the accused, Arsalan Feroze Ahenger, to deny him bail, as provisions in the section deal with punishment for conspiracy, attempt, advocacy, abetment, or incitement to terrorist acts. NIA, the investigating agency in the case, said Ahenger was associated with one Mehran Yaseen Shalla, a terror operative working for TRF and LeT. Shalla, along with two other accomplices, was killed in an encounter on Nov 24, 2021. Prior to that, under Shalla's influence, Ahenger was digitally active on various social media platforms, on which radical content was shared, the NIA submitted. NIA said the accused created several groups on social media like Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind and Shaikoo Naikoo, apart from multiple Gmail IDs through which radical views were expressed, which aimed to motivate and radicalise vulnerable youth to join terrorist groups like TRF. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The material on record also indicates that the messages shared by the appellant have the tendency to incite people to join terrorist activities. The appellant also used images, videos, etc, of slain Mehran Yaseen Shalla for glorifying terrorist activities, and the appellant has also been propagating the radical ideology of TRF to create unrest within the country," the court observed in its order. The lawyer for the accused argued that the trial court failed to appreciate there is no material on record indicating his client's association with TRF and, therefore, UAPA cannot be invoked against him.
Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi court reserves order on Engineer Rashid's plea to attend Parliament
A Delhi court Tuesday reserved its order on an interim bail plea by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid for attending the monsoon session of Parliament starting July 21. Rashid, who defeated National Conference leader Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla seat by over two lakh votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, has been lodged in Tihar jail since 2019 in a 2017 terror funding case. Represented by advocates Aditya Wadhwa, Vikhyat Oberoi and Nishita Gupta, Rashid argued in court that he should either be granted interim bail or permission to attend Parliament in custody, without payment of travel costs. The lawyers also argued that Rashid had been granted interim bail in September last year for campaigning for the elections and since this bail had been extended thrice, he could not be considered a security threat. Opposing his plea, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) argued that Rashid should not be granted bail and if he is allowed to attend Parliament in custody, then he should be made to pay the travel expenses. Rashid's lawyers argued that he shouldn't be made to pay travel expenses as he was seeking to attend Parliament as his public duty and not for some personal work. After hearing the arguments from both sides, Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh reserved the order for July 21. Earlier this year, the Delhi High Court had allowed Rashid to attend Parliament on two occasions – on March 10 and February 25. The MP was arrested on August 9, 2019, four days after the abrogation of Article 370 and the removal of J&K's special status. According to the NIA, Rashid used various public platforms to 'propagate the ideology of separatism and secessionism', and was closely associated with various terrorist organisations. The agency had also alleged that he wanted to 'legitimise' the United Jihad Council (UJC), a platform of anti-India militant groups in J&K. According to the NIA, Rashid's name cropped up during the interrogation of businessman and co-accused Zahoor Watali. After being chargesheeted in October 2019, a special NIA court framed charges against Rashid and others in March 2022 under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code and for offences relating to terrorist acts and terror funding under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
News18
18 hours ago
- News18
Use Of Social Media For Disseminating Radical Ideology Falls Within Ambit Of UAPA: Delhi HC
Last Updated: The court underlined the "influence" of the accused and a high possibility of evidence tampering, while saying the dissemination need not necessarily be a physical activity Denying bail to an accused in a terror case, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday observed that using social media for disseminating radical information and ideology can attract charges under the UAPA. The court refused bail to an alleged operative of the terror outfit, 'The Resistance Front', charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA. It underlined his 'influence" and a high possibility of tampering with the evidence, while also saying that the dissemination need not necessarily be a physical activity. Analysing a section of the UAPA, which deals with punishment for conspiracy, attempt, advocacy, abetment or incitement of terrorist acts, a bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar found sufficient material against accused Arsalan Feroze Ahenger. The bench said Ahenger, stated to be in his early 20s, posted photos of terrorists and incited people to commit terrorist acts. 'The said provision is framed in such a broader way that even the usage of social media or any digital activity for the purpose of disseminating radical information and ideology falls within its ambit and it is not necessary that the same is to be a physical activity," the court observed. It said: 'It cannot be said that there is no evidence against the appellant (Ahenger) that he was closely associated with slain terrorist Mehran Yaseen Shalla or that he has actively participated in the terrorist activities himself." As a result, Ahenger's appeal against a trial court order from September 2024 denying him bail in the case was dismissed. He was arrested on December 30, 2021. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Delhi court reserves order on Engineer Rashid's plea to attend Parliament
Rashid has been lodged in Tihar jail since 2019 after he was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror funding case. A Delhi court has reserved its order until July 21 on Engineer Rashid's plea to attend the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament. Rashid, the Baramulla MP, seeks interim bail or custody parole to fulfill his parliamentary duties. He has been in Tihar jail since 2019, arrested by the NIA under UAPA in connection with a 2017 terror funding case. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday reserved its order on Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid 's plea to attend the monsoon session of Parliament starting July sessions judge Chander Jit Singh reserved the order for July 21 on the plea of the Baramulla MP seeking either interim bail or custody parole to carry out his duty as a parole entails a prisoner being escorted by armed police personnel to the has been lodged in Tihar jail since 2019 after he was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror funding Baramulla MP, who defeated Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is facing trial in a terror funding case with allegations that he funded separatists and terror groups in Jammu and to the NIA's FIR, Rashid's name cropped up during the interrogation of businessman and co-accused Zahoor being chargesheeted in October 2019, a special NIA court framed charges against Rashid and others in March 2022 under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code and for offences relating to terrorist acts and terror funding under UAPA
