It aims at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India.
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.
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.
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. Earlier only organisations could be declared as such.
Not designating individuals as terrorists, would give them an opportunity to circumvent the law and regroup under different name.
It empowered the Director General of NIA to grant approval of seizure or attachment of property when the case is investigated by NIA.
Earlier it required the consent of State Police which delayed the process.
It empowered the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases of terrorism.
It gave the Home Ministry the power to designate individuals as terrorists.
Do you know?
NIA was created after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks with the enactment of the National Investigation Agency Act 2008.
NIA is the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency of India and it works under overall guidance of Ministry of Home Affairs.
