Hyderabad/Jangaon: Social activist and former Maoist leader Gade Innayya was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on charges of propagating Maoist ideology and supporting banned extremist organisations. The arrest was made at an orphanage run by Innayya in Jaffargadh mandal, Jangaon district.
According to officials, the case is linked to the September encounter in Chhattisgarh in which Maoist Central Committee member Katta Ramachandra Reddy, a native of Bhupalpally, was killed. Innayya had attended Ramachandra Reddy’s funeral and later spoke to the media, allegedly making statements in support of Maoists. Police subsequently registered a case against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), accusing him of participating in memorial meetings, extending support to banned organisations, and promoting their ideology.
UAPA and Previous Arrests
In the past, several intellectuals, activists, students, and journalists across the country have faced cases under UAPA. In the Bhima Koregaon case, revolutionary poet Varavara Rao was arrested under the Act. Former Delhi University professor G.S. Saibaba was also taken into custody on allegations of Maoist links. Several students were arrested under UAPA in connection with the alleged 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy.
About the UAPA
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, enacted in 1967 and strengthened through amendments in 2004 and 2019, aims to protect the sovereignty and integrity of India. Unlike ordinary criminal law, the Act places the burden of proving innocence on the accused, making bail difficult to obtain.
Data and Debate
As per Union Home Ministry data, 5,023 UAPA cases were registered nationwide between 2018 and 2022, leading to the arrest of 8,947 persons. The conviction rate, however, remains below 3 percent, resulting in many accused spending long periods as undertrials. While the government maintains that strict laws like UAPA are essential for national security, opposition parties and rights groups allege misuse of the Act to silence dissent.