Flawed Prosecution Process Leads to Acquittals in Karnataka High Court Terror Case

The Karnataka High Court acquitted three people, including a Pakistani national, of charges under the UAPA due to a procedural error in prosecution. The state failed to follow mandatory steps in obtaining prosecution sanction. One defendant, Syed Abdul Rehman, retained a conviction under other laws.

In a significant legal development, the Karnataka High Court has acquitted three individuals, including a Pakistani national, who faced allegations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) related to a 2012 terrorist conspiracy purportedly orchestrated within Bengaluru Central Prison.

The court identified a procedural fault in the prosecution sanction provided by the state government, leading to their acquittal. Accused individuals, Syed Abdul Rehman from Bengaluru, Afsar Pasha from Kolar district, and Mohammed Fahad Khoya from Pakistan, were initially charged under various UAPA and IPC provisions.

Despite being cleared of these charges, Rehman received a confirmed conviction under the Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act for illegal weapon possession and concealing explosives, earning him a decade-long prison sentence. The High Court's decision hinged on the flawed procedural sanction, casting doubt on the validity of the initial trial's basis.

(With inputs from agencies.)