NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister, S.B. Chavan, April 2 hinted that the Terrorists and Disruptive Actividies (Prevention Act might be modified or replaced by a less draconian legislation in view of the country. wide outcry against it.

The home minister gave this indication during a meeting with Muslim intellectuals. He clarified that there was no question of prestige in repealing TADA. He had already admitted in Parliament that TADA was being “misused in some states.”

Chavan said given the situation in the country today the government could not altogether scrap this law whatever critics might say. “A via media should be found and so a law which can act as a deterrent against persons indulging in anti-national activities and at the same time provide for checking its misuse is needed,” he added.

The home minister said he was prepared to discuss with legal luminaries and others concerned; the modalities of such proposals, if any, which could serve the national interest check antinational elements.

The Muslim leaders who met him Saturday included Sayeed Ashfaq Peeran of Bangalore and Asgar S. Patel of Bombay

Obviously, the government decided to review the TĀDA in view of the fact that it had come under severe attack in Parliament from all quarters recently. The issue was also raised at the last Congress working committee meeting by minister for internal security. Rajesh Pilot Following strong criticism of TADA by Pilot and several other ministers, the CWC had constituted a sub-committee to examine this controversial law and to suggest measures for replacing it, if necessary. The subcommittee had recommended outright repeal of the Act and incorporation of its provisions in the Indian Penal Code.

Meanwhile, according to reports from Kerala, all five cases registered under the Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention Act in Kerala have been withdrawn.

The designated court under the TADA Act here Saturday gave permission for the withdrawal of four cases relating to violent incidents at Koothuparamba and one at Mattannur.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 7, 1995