SC: How is torching a police station UAPA offence?

Supreme Court dismissed Uttarakhand's appeal against bail granted by the High Court to Abdul Malik, alleged mastermind of a mob that torched a police station in Haldwani in 2024.

The bench questioned whether throwing a petrol bomb and burning a police station constitutes an offence under UAPA, doubting if the act affected national security.

The court criticized the state's concern about demoralizing the police, saying prosecution should ensure speedy trial and provide cogent evidence for conviction.

The order clarified that it expressed no opinion on the merits of the case.