Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 25/07/2019 – Posted in: Press Information Bureau

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019

(Ministry of Home Affairs)

 

WHAT

Lok Sabha passes the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019

The Bill amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.  The Act provides special procedures to deal with terrorist activities, among other things.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The bill proposed amendments is to facilitate speedy investigation and prosecution of terror offences and designating an individual as terrorist in line with the international practices.
  • There are no changes being made in arrest or bail provisions.
  • There will be no violation of fundamental rights of any person.

 

INVESTIGATION BY NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY

  • Under the Act, investigation of cases may be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above.
  • The Bill additionally empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases.

 

APPROVAL BY NIA

  • Under the Act, an investigating officer is required to obtain the prior approval of the Director General of Police to seize properties that may be connected with terrorism.
  • The Bill adds that if the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of such property.

 

WHO MAY COMMIT TERRORISM

Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation if it:

  • commits or participates in acts of terrorism,
  • prepares for terrorism,
  • promotes terrorism,
  • is otherwise involved in terrorism.

The Bill additionally empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds.

 

SCHEDULE OF TREATIES

The Act defines terrorist acts to include acts committed within the scope of any of the treaties listed in a schedule to the Act.

The Schedule lists nine treaties, including the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979).

The Bill adds another treaty to the list.  This is the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).

 

Source: PIB

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