Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena approved the prosecution of author and activist Arundhati Roy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for her comments on Kashmir. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a former Professor of International Law at Central University of Kashmir, was also granted approval for prosecution under the UAPA. The case dates back to 2010 when a complaint was filed by Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir.
The FIR was registered following an order from a Metropolitan Magistrate court in New Delhi. The Governor’s office stated that Roy and Hussain allegedly made provocative speeches at a conference in New Delhi, discussing the separation of Kashmir from India.
Other participants included Kashmiri separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani, and activist Varavara Rao, who have since passed away. The Raj Bhavan granted sanction in October 2023 to prosecute them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.