Section20

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967

Punishment for being member of terrorist gang or organisation

In force From 30 Dec 1967 Act 37 of 1967 As on 14 Oct 2026

Act 37 of 1967 Ministry Home Affairs Enacted 30 Dec 1967 In force 30 Dec 1967 Instruments 2

Section 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 deals with punishment for being member of terrorist gang or organisation. Any person who is a member of a terrorist gang or a terrorist organisation, which is involved in terrorist act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.] The Act came into force on 30 Dec 1967.

¹[ 20. Punishment for being member of terrorist gang or organisation.--Any person who is a member of a terrorist gang or a terrorist organisation, which is involved in terrorist act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.]
Section 20, The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (Act 37 of 1967).

Related judgements & precedents

These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.

Vernon v. State of Maharashtra

Supreme Court of India 28 Jul 2023 Binding (Supreme Court) Reportable (2023) 14 SCC 521

Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

Judgement of Main Case order-21.pdf 2023-07-28 DATE VERIFIED. Crl.A. 639/2023 with 640/2023 (Arun Ferreira). Aniruddha Bose J. REPORTABLE. Bhima-Koregaon UAPA bail. Charged IPC 121/121A/124A/153A/505/117/120B/34 + UAPA 13, 16, 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38, 39, 40. Isolate: letters/membership/finances do not make out a prima facie terrorist act under s.15, so Chapter IV accusations including s.17 (raising funds for a terrorist act — AF alleged to manage CPI(Maoist) finances) and s.20 (membership of a terrorist gang/organisation involved in a terrorist act) are not prima facie true; bail granted under the 43D(5) sieve. Distinctive from Arup Bhuyan s.10 and Thwaha 38/39. Skip 16 (punishment follows 15 — same pad as Tanha). Do not pad 15/18 (Tanha), 13/38/39 (Thwaha), 43D (Najeeb), NIA 6/8 (Pradeep Ram). Do not pad IPC 121-series.

On this section: UAPA s.20 membership of a terrorist gang or organisation involved in a terrorist act is not prima facie true on organisational membership or letters without a terrorist act (Vernon). Distinct from Arup Bhuyan s.10 and Thwaha 38/39.

Read the full order on eCourts India

The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.

Made under this section, and citing it

2 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 20

What have the courts held on Section 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act?

Vernon v. State of Maharashtra (28 Jul 2023) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: UAPA s.20 membership of a terrorist gang or organisation involved in a terrorist act is not prima facie true on organisational membership or letters without a terrorist act (Vernon). Distinct from Arup Bhuyan s.10 and Thwaha 38/39.

How do I find court cases under Section 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Uapa 20, section 20 Uapa, section 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Vernon v. State of Maharashtra (28 Jul 2023).

What should I read with Section 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and has it changed?

2 instruments name it without being made under it, most recently The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967) had declared the LTTE to be an unlawful association vide notification of the Govt. of India in the MHA number S.O. 1272 (E) dated 14.05.2014 (2014), then Excercise of powers under section 7 and 8 by state Governments and UT Administrations (2008).

When did Section 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act come into force?

Section 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, cited as Uapa 20, came into force on 30 Dec 1967, having been enacted on 30 Dec 1967. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.