UAPA charges against SKUAST students after World Cup celebration dropped

SRINAGAR — The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) charges against seven students of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in Ganderbal, initially arrested after India’s defeat to Australia in the World Cup on November 19, have been dropped.

The students, all enrolled at SKUAST in Ganderbal, were granted bail, and their legal representation was provided by Advocate Shafiq Bhat. He confirmed to the news agency KNS that the UAPA charges against them have been dropped by the government.

The arrest had taken place following allegations of the students raising anti-India slogans and celebrating the Indian cricket team’s loss in the World Cup 2023 final. The students faced charges under various sections of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

“Glad to know that UAPA charges against SKUAST students have been dropped. Finally, good sense has prevailed & their future saved from jeopardy,” the PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a post on X.

Earlier, parents, the Student Association, and politicians urged the government to drop the charges against them.