Police ordered to speed up UAPA probes across Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 14: All district Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) of Kashmir have been afresh directed to expedite investigations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to effectively address prevailing security challenges and ensure the law is implemented in both letter and spirit.

A top Police official here said that UAPA cases have been registered in nearly all police stations across Kashmir over the past three days, with strict directions issued to complete investigations within the minimum possible time frame.

“The move reflects heightened focus on strengthening the legal and investigative response to security-related offences in Kashmir,” he said.

He said that the directions were reiterated by Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, during most of the review meetings.

He said that the officers were urged to underline the critical importance of professional competence in handling UAPA cases.

“There is a need for a thorough understanding of the act and its procedural requirements to ensure investigations are conducted in a logical, systematic, and legally sustainable manner,” the official said, stressing that effective utilisation of UAPA is essential for tackling security threats while maintaining investigative efficiency. “The officers have been urged to strictly adhere to established procedures and focus on meticulous case management, particularly about the admissibility of evidence and the formulation of clear, time-bound action plans.”

The official said stress was also laid on maintaining high standards of documentation.

“The officers have been called upon to write comprehensive case diaries, prepare accurate and detailed memos, and draft well-structured charge sheets to improve the likelihood of securing convictions,” he said. “They were told that strong documentation forms the backbone of successful prosecution, especially in complex UAPA cases.”

He said that officers have been further encouraged to strengthen their skills in collecting and analysing both digital and physical evidence, ensuring that every case rests on a robust evidentiary foundation.

“Improving drafting skills for FIRs, memos and chargesheets will significantly enhance the overall quality of investigations,” he said. In addition, the officers have been urged to focus on improving the disposal rate of pending cases and to ensure consistent follow-up during court proceedings to achieve successful outcomes.