Do anti-terror laws need a review? Abhishek Singhvi and Aryama Sundaram face off

Has the time come to review anti-terror laws like UAPA? Rajdeep Sardesai speaks to senior SC advocates Dr. Abhishek M Singhvi and C Aryama Sundaram.

The Supreme Court didn’t stay the Delhi High Court order granting bail to student activists in the anti-CAA protest case. But the SC also said the High Court order should not be a precedent. So, has the time come to review anti-terror laws like UAPA or the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act? India Today TV Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai speaks to senior SC advocates Dr. Abhishek M Singhvi and C Aryama Sundaram over the issue. Excerpts: Q: Has the time come for a review? ABHISHEK M SINGHVI: I don’t think UAPA can be done away with, repealed or abrogated because it’s intended to fight terrorism. They are misused for purposes for which they were not intended. That’s the real problem. By the time the law takes its own course, untold miseries are caused. Judges ultimately get it right; they do give you bail. But by that time, you have suffered a lot. These laws are meant to be used bona fide with correct thresholds applied by the Executive. While the law may be required for extreme terrorism cases, you don’t need to become a Rambo State on the rampage. In the long-term, we’re all dead.