The Prevention of Unlawful Activities (Amendment) Bill 2019 (UAPA) has been passed by the Lok Sabha on 24 July and the Rajya Sabha on 2 August. This law is considered important for the country to deal with terrorism strictly. Under this law, the National Investigation Agency can declare a person a terrorist on the basis of investigation, if that person is found to be encouraged or involved in terrorist activities. Many such provisions are included in this bill passed in the monsoon session.
The Bill gives unlimited powers to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to the old bill, the investigating officer had to get permission from the Director General of Police (DGP) to seize the property in any terrorism related case, but now this law allows that if the investigation of any case related to terrorism N.I.A. If an officer of the government does, then he will only have to get permission from the Director General of NIA for this. After the proposed amendment, the Director General of NIA will now get the right to take possession and attach properties which were used in terrorist activities
As per the old law, only such officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) or Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) could be investigated in any such case. But now the NIA officers have been given more powers under the provision of the new law. Now any such case can be investigated by an officer of the rank of Inspector or above.
Under the law enacted by the Congress government in 1967, only organizations and organizations could be declared terrorists during the center investigation. Later, they used to change the organization name and spread terror. The person can also be declared a terrorist under the UAPA Amendment Act 2019. If he participates in acts of terrorism, prepares a person for terrorism, promotes terrorism, or himself is involved in terrorist activities.
There is also a provision to remove the name of a person declared as a terrorist under the amended law. The government cannot do its own arbitrary. For this, the person concerned will have to apply. The central government will decide the application and decision making process. If the application of the person concerned is rejected by the Central Government, the law provides that it may seek a review of the decision within one month of the dismissal. A review committee consisting of a chairperson (retired or present judge of the High Court) and three other members will be formed. If the review committee feels that the person has been wrongly declared a terrorist, the government may order his removal. Apart from this, a person declared a terrorist can also go to the courts challenging the government order.
