UPSC Articles
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
Part of: Prelims and GS III – Terrorism
Context: A senior leader of the terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Mohiuddin Aurangzeb Alamgir has been notified as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
- He has been involved in Pulwama Central Reserve Police Force Convoy attack of 2019.
About Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
- The UAPA, an upgrade on the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act TADA (lapsed in 1995) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act – POTA (repealed in 2004) was passed in the year 1967
- It aims at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India.
- Till 2004, “unlawful” activities referred to actions related to secession and cession of territory.
- The 2004 amendment, added “terrorist act” to the list of offences.
- Under the act, the investigating agency can file a charge sheet in maximum 180 days after the arrests and the duration can be extended further after intimating the court.
- Powers to Union Government: If Centre deems an activity as unlawful then it may, by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so.
- It has death penalty and life imprisonment as highest punishments.
- 2019 Amendment of UAPA: The act was amended to designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds provided in the Act.
News Source: Newsonair
