Mohammad Shafi, Acting National President of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), has expressed serious concern over the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) action in the Beldanga violence case in West Bengal. He said the Supreme Court’s strong observations on the agency’s functioning indicate that extreme caution must be exercised in invoking stringent laws.
The Supreme Court recently made sharp remarks on the application of Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the Beldanga violence case. The Court observed that invoking such stringent provisions without reviewing the necessary records of the state police appeared to reflect a predetermined conclusion. It further clarified that not every emotional reaction can be classified as terrorism by terming it a threat to the country’s economic security.
In his statement, Shafi said the Beldanga incident is reportedly linked to protests that erupted following the tragic death of a migrant worker. In such a context, he noted, the use of anti-terror laws raises serious concerns regarding democratic rights and freedom of expression. He alleged that repeated interventions by the NIA in opposition-ruled states weaken the federal structure and create apprehensions of political bias.
The SDPI leader said the case is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of alleged overreach by the agency. Referring to the Bhima Koregaon case and the Delhi riots cases, he said the arrest and prolonged detention of intellectuals, social activists, and protesters in several instances have raised questions about the impartiality of investigative agencies. He also cited investigations conducted in Kerala and West Bengal.
He asserted that stringent national security laws must not be misused as a tool to suppress democratic dissent. Such actions, he said, have an adverse impact on public expression and erode public trust.
SDPI has urged the Central Government to ensure that investigative agencies remain free from political influence and to undertake necessary institutional reforms to guarantee evidence-based and impartial investigations, thereby safeguarding democratic rights and strengthening the federal framework.
