Srinagar, May 24 -- The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has underscored the constitutional dangers of prolonged incarceration in UAPA cases, observing that delayed trials under stringent anti-terror laws can effectively convert the legal process itself into punishment.

Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal made the observations while directing a Special Court in Srinagar to expedite the trial of a Baramulla youth booked under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Explosive Substances Act and IPC in a 2020 militancy-related case.

The 26-year-old petitioner, Arif Billa Sheikh of Bomai, Baramulla, has remained in custody since his arrest in March 2020. Although the chargesheet was filed in October 2020 and c...