What UAPA sections have been invoked against Arundhati Roy

New Delhi: Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has accorded sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy and a former professor in Kashmir under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly making provocative speeches at an event here in 2010, Raj Niwas officials said on Friday.

The FIR against Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain was registered following the orders of the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi, they added.

There was no immediate reaction from Roy and Hussain.

The FIR in the matter was registered on a complaint made by Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir, on October 28, 2010.

"Delhi Lt Governor VK 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 on Friday.

What UAPA sections have been invoked?

Both the accused will be tried under Section 45 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in case FIR No. 258/2010 dated October 29, 2010, under various sections of the IPC and UAPA. The sections invoked against the duo (Arundhati Roy and Hussain) include Sections 124-A, 153 A, 153 B, 504, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code. Section 13 of the UAPA has also been invoked against Arundhati and Hussain.

What is the UAPA Section 13? 

"Whoever takes part in or commits, or advocates, abets, advises or incites the commission of, any unlawful activity, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine," the section 13(1) of the UAPA reads.