THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State police chief Loknath Behera has directed the police personnel to brush up their knowledge in Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act popularly known as UAPA as certain deficiencies came to his notice in some cases. In a recent directive to all officials, Mr Behera said that many investigation officers, supervisory officers and public prosecutors were unaware of the many provisions of UAPA especially with regard to the extension of remand and time-frame for prosecution sanction. Such procedural violations could affect the cases and provide chances for successful prosecution, he said.
Mr Behera directed that all senior officers of law and order and Crime Branch should also understand the procedural part of UAPA in order to avoid the lapses. He also cited the instance of the court not issuing orders in a petition seeking the extension of remand period beyond 90 days. According to the directive, convincing reports should be submitted in advance at the courts to extend police remand of accused in UAPA cases beyond 15 days as well as to extend judicial remand beyond 90 days if the investigation is not over. Mr Behera also pointed out that as per UAPA, the review committee headed by law secretary and prosecution sanction authority should take decisions on cases involving UAPA within seven days of receipt of the report.
