The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019 amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Act provides special procedures to deal with terrorist activities, among other things.
Amendments |
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S. No. |
Provision |
Provision in the Original Act |
Amendment |
1 |
Who may commit terrorism |
Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation if it: (i) commits or participates in acts of terrorism, (ii) prepares for terrorism, (iii) promotes terrorism, or (iv) is otherwise involved in terrorism. |
The government is additionally empowered to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds. |
2 |
Approval for seizure of property 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. |
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. |
3 |
Investigation by NIA |
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 officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, are additionally empowered to investigate cases. |
4 |
Insertion to 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. |
The International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005) is added to the list. |