when a terrorist organization commits a heinous crime against a human ?Terror Threats"

1. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)

This law is India’s primary anti-terror legislation.

• Section 15: Defines terrorist act – includes any act causing death or injury to people, aimed at intimidating the public or disturbing sovereignty.
• Section 16: Punishment for terrorist acts – may include life imprisonment or death.
• Section 18: Punishment for conspiracy or attempt to commit a terrorist act.
• Section 20: Punishment for being a member of a terrorist organization.

Example: If a blogger writes about human rights violations and a terrorist group targets them, it qualifies under these sections.

2. Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860

• Section 120B: Criminal Conspiracy.
• Section 302: Murder.
• Section 307: Attempt to murder.
• Section 506: Criminal intimidation.
• Section 153A: Promoting enmity between groups.
• Section 124A (Sedition)* – (rarely used now but historically relevant).

    

Applicable when: There is physical harm, threat, or conspiracy to silence or intimidate the person.

3. Information Technology Act, 2000

• Section 66F: Cyber terrorism – if threats or attacks are done online.
• Section 67: Punishes publishing or transmitting offensive digital content.

     Applicable when: Threats or attacks happen online (e.g., hacking a human rights blog, sending threats).

4. Constitution of India

• Article 19(1)(a): Right to freedom of speech and expression.
• Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty – includes protection against threats.

    Reasonable restrictions exist, but this right is protected unless it incites violence or hatred.

Relevant Case Laws

1. PUCL v. Union of India (1997)

• Held that surveillance and interception must follow due process.
• Protects journalists and bloggers from unlawful intrusion.

2. Indibly Creative Pvt. Ltd. v. State of West Bengal (2020) – [Tandav Case]

• Supreme Court emphasized the importance of protecting free expression in digital media.
• Court said artistic and journalistic expression must not be curbed without clear evidence of threat or harm.

3. Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015)

• Struck down Section 66A of the IT Act as unconstitutional.
• Upheld the right to free speech, especially on the internet.

4. Zahira Habibullah Sheikh v. State of Gujarat (2004)

• Supreme Court emphasized protection of witnesses and individuals speaking truth in hostile environments (relevant for rights bloggers).

Conclusion

When a terrorist organization attacks or threatens a human rights blogger for their work, the following provisions apply:

• UAPA for terror-related offenses.
• IPC for murder, threats, or conspiracy.
• IT Act for cybercrime aspects.
• Constitution protects the blogger's rights.