The Delhi High Court has quashed the arrest of Thokchom Shyamjai Singh, the self-styled army chief of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Singh was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2024 for allegedly orchestrating a trans-national conspiracy to incite violence in Manipur. The agency had accused him of raising funds through extortion, recruiting cadres, and procuring weapons for terrorist activities.
Legal Basis for the Court’s Decision
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, while delivering the verdict on Thursday, allowed Singh’s plea, stating:
“I am allowing their petition, arrests are quashed on the ground of Prabir Purkayastha read with Pankaj Bansal judgments. Order will be uploaded.”
The reference to the Prabir Purkayastha and Pankaj Bansal judgments indicates the court relied on precedents where procedural lapses or violations of fundamental rights were found in arrests made under UAPA.
Allegations Against Singh
According to the NIA, Singh and his associates were allegedly part of a foreign-backed conspiracy aimed at exploiting ethnic unrest in Manipur to wage war against the Government of India. Their activities included:
- Raising funds for UNLF through extortion
- Recruiting new cadres to expand the organization
- Procuring weapons to execute acts of violence
The High Court decision to quash Singh’s arrest could impact other UAPA cases over procedural compliance.
With this verdict, Singh secures relief from custody, but the NIA’s investigation into the alleged terror links and activities of the UNLF is expected to continue.