New Delhi, June 15: Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of eminent author Arundhati Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly making provocative speeches at an event in New Delhi in 2010, Raj Niwas officials announced on Friday.
The FIR against Roy and Hussain was registered following the orders of the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi, based on a complaint filed by social activist Sushil Pandit on October 28, 2010. The complaint led to the FIR and subsequent investigation.
Roy was one of the speakers at the event where the FIR alleged that she and other speakers delivered provocative speeches. “Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and former Professor of International Law in Central University of Kashmir, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, under section 45 (1) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case,” a Raj Niwas official said.
In October 2023, Saxena had already granted sanction to prosecute Roy and Hussain under Section 196 of the CrPC for offenses punishable under different sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The FIR, filed by social activist Sushil Pandit, included other notable speakers at the conference such as Syed Ali Shah Geelani, SAR Geelani (anchor of the conference and prime accused in the Parliament attack case), and Varavara Rao.
This move comes amidst a backdrop of heightened scrutiny and legal action against several intellectuals and activists in the country.
