In a verdict that’s exploding across social media, a Delhi court has dramatically acquitted two young Kashmiris who spent over seven-and-a-half years behind bars under India’s stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Jamsheed Zahoor Paul (19 at the time of arrest) and Parvaiz Rashid Lone (24 at the time of arrest), both from Shopian, Kashmir, walked out of prison yesterday as free men.

Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal of Patiala House Courts delivered a scathing 79-page judgment, tearing apart the Delhi Police Special Cell’s case.

The court ruled that the prosecution “failed to prove” any terror charges and raised “serious doubts” over the entire recovery of arms and ammunition.

The duo was arrested on September 6, 2018, near Delhi’s iconic Lal Qila/Netaji Subhash Park.

Police had claimed they were ISIS-linked terrorists planning attacks in Jammu & Kashmir using pistols allegedly sourced from Uttar Pradesh.

They were booked under UAPA Sections 18 & 20 (terror conspiracy and membership of a terrorist organisation) along with the Arms Act.

However, charges were framed only in April 2022, nearly four years later, and the Delhi High Court denied them bail even in 2024.

Yesterday, everything changed.

Judge Bansal highlighted glaring loopholes:

The mysterious appearance of the FIR number in recovery memos raises questions about whether it was added later.
Zero independent witnesses who were present during the alleged pistol recovery have ever testified in court.
Complete failure to prove actual ISIS membership or any terrorist conspiracy before the arrest date.

“Whether the FIR was filed before the recovery or the number was later added, in both scenarios, the veracity of the prosecution’s claim is questionable.”

The court observed that it was granting the accused the benefit of the doubt on all charges.

The human cost is devastating.

Two youngsters lost the prime of their lives, exactly 2,753 days as undertrial prisoners, while being branded “terrorists” by the system.

Reacting sharply, Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) National Secretary Nadeem Khan said:

“Today, the burden of being labelled a ‘terrorist’ is lifted, but eight years of their lives are gone. This is not just a legal win but a grim reminder of how easily fabricated allegations wreck lives.”

APCR General Secretary Malik Motasim added:

“Extraordinary laws like UAPA are being used to bypass the need for actual evidence. Our team stood by these men when the world had already judged them, and today’s verdict proves why due process cannot be ignored.”

The acquittal has triggered a massive online debate with #UAPAInjustice and #JusticeDelayed trending nationwide and in Kashmir.

While the government insists UAPA is essential to combat real terror threats, cases like this are intensifying criticism over its low conviction rate (just 3-4%) and the way the process itself becomes the punishment.

Two innocent lives finally reclaimed.

But at what unimaginable cost?

The nation is watching.

Share if you believe justice delayed is justice denied.