“Process Itself Is the Punishment”: PDP Leader Waheed Parra Calls for Urgent Legal Reforms

"Senior PDP leader and Pulwama MLA Waheed Parra highlights the plight of prolonged trials under UAPA, calling the justice system a trap of endless uncertainty".

Pulwama: Senior PDP leader and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Pulwama, Waheed Parra, has raised serious concerns over the prolonged legal battles faced by individuals accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Parra lamented the relentless cycle of hearings, prolonged detentions, and judicial constraints, stating that "the process itself is the punishment."

“In 30 days, 5 hearings, 3 courts—under UAPA, the process itself is the punishment. Even courts have little authority to grant relief,” Parra posted, shedding light on the harsh realities of legal proceedings under the stringent law.

With two UAPA cases, two other cases, and three quashment petitions pending in higher courts, Parra described the legal ordeal as an "endless cycle" that not only burdens the accused but also devastates their families. He emphasized that slow prosecution serves as a punishment in itself, leaving families trapped in uncertainty for years.

“This isn’t just about legal battles; it’s about lives put on indefinite hold. Justice cannot mean endless confinement. And if this is happening after winning an MLA election, imagine the fate of those with no voice, no agency of their own, and no way to fight back,” Parra wrote, underlining the wider implications of the justice system’s inefficiencies.

Parra’s remarks have reignited the debate over the UAPA, a law often criticized for its stringent provisions that make bail difficult and prolong legal proceedings. His call for "radical reform" comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of the act and the need for a more balanced approach to national security and individual rights.

As legal experts, activists, and political leaders weigh in on Parra’s concerns, the larger question remains: Will India’s criminal justice system undergo the reforms needed to ensure fair and timely trials, or will the "process as punishment" continue to overshadow justice?