New Delhi/Bengaluru, Mar 23: Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has raised concerns over the alleged overuse of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and flagged poor representation of women in higher judiciary, saying these issues hinder the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Speaking at the first national conference of the Supreme Court Bar Association in Bengaluru, he said criminalisation of dissent and mindless arrests under UAPA undermine constitutional values.
Citing data from 2019 to 2023, Justice Bhuyan said thousands were arrested under UAPA but the conviction rate remained around five per cent, indicating possible overuse or misuse of the law and adding burden on the criminal justice system.
He also highlighted gender disparity in higher judiciary, noting that women constitute only about 14 per cent of high court judges and only 11 women have served in the Supreme Court since 1950.
Questioning the collegium system, he said subjective assessment may be limiting women’s elevation to constitutional courts, despite over 50 per cent representation in the district judiciary.
He pointed out that only two high courts currently have women chief justices, calling the figure inadequate and stressing the need for greater gender parity.
Justice Bhuyan also underlined the importance of tolerance for dissent and debate in a developed nation, saying divergent views should not be criminalised.
Referring to social inequalities, he said deep societal fault lines remain a challenge and stressed that respect for individuals must be ensured for true development.
Former Chief Justice of India B R Gavai also noted delays in judicial appointments, saying in several cases recommendations reiterated by the collegium were not acted upon by the government. (Agencies)
