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The Supreme Court of India has sought a response from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding the time required to commence the trial in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case related to the 2020 Bengaluru riots.
A bench of Justices, while hearing the matter, directed the NIA to provide a timeline for the trial’s initiation. The case stems from the violent incidents that erupted in Bengaluru in August 2020, resulting in significant damage to public and private property. The riots led to multiple arrests and the invocation of stringent provisions under the UAPA against the accused individuals.
During the proceedings, the petitioners argued that they had been in custody for a prolonged period without the trial commencing, thereby infringing on their fundamental rights. They sought either an expedited trial or bail, contending that indefinite incarceration without trial violates due process.
The Supreme Court took cognizance of the matter and asked the NIA to specify a reasonable timeframe for beginning the trial. The bench emphasized that while national security concerns must be balanced, prolonged detention without trial raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.
The NIA, in its response, is expected to outline the progress of the investigation, the readiness of the prosecution, and the estimated time frame for commencing proceedings. The Court’s inquiry signals its concern over delays in UAPA cases, where stringent bail provisions often result in prolonged pre-trial detention.
The 2020 Bengaluru riots were triggered by alleged inflammatory social media content, leading to large-scale violence in certain city areas. The case has since been under investigation, with multiple accused facing trial under the UAPA and other penal provisions.
The Supreme Court’s direction to the NIA underscores the judiciary’s role in ensuring timely justice while addressing security-related offenses. The matter is expected to be listed for further hearing after the agency submits its response regarding the trial timeline.
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