The Supreme Court decided on Thursday to hear an urgent appeal challenging the Tripura police's use of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against journalists, lawyers, and activists for their social media posts on the recent communal violence in the state.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan presented the case before a Bench consisting of CJI NV Ramana, Justice AS Bopanna, and Justice Hima Kohli, requesting that the case be listed urgently.
"This is regarding incidents in Tripura, as well as FIRs and 41 A notices given to attorneys who went on a fact-finding expedition, as some have tweeted that Tripura is on fire," Mr Bhushan explained.
Mr Bhushan further informed the Court that the case is challenging two elements of the UAPA that are frequently misunderstood and exploited, particularly the issue of a broad definition of illegal conduct.
"Why didn't you go before High Court," CJI asked?
Bhushan said that they did not file a petition with the Supreme Court since they were also challenging UAPA.
"Please list it as these people are imminently under threat," Bhushan said.
"Circulate the bundle. Yes, I'll give a date." CJI said.
The Tripura police recently used the harsh anti-terror statute Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to prosecute two attorneys who were part of a team that released a fact-finding report on the state's recent communal violence.
The West Agartala Police have served notices to Delhi-based human rights lawyers Mukesh of the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties and Ansar Indori of the National Confederation of Human Rights, alleging that a case has been filed against them under Section 13 of the UAPA for their social media posts and statements.
Shyam Meera Singh, a journalist, was also issued a UAPA notice for tweeting "Tripura Burning."