Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act

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Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act TADA (lapsed in 1995) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act – POTA (repealed in 2004) was passed in the year 1967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