Web Directory gma Free Links Directory
×

UPSC Courses

DNA banner

DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

  • 09 March, 2021

  • 15 Min Read

‘Compensate those acquitted under UAPA’

‘Compensate those acquitted under UAPA’

  • A local court in Surat acquitted 122 persons arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for participating in a meeting organised in December 2001 as members of the Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), a banned outfit.

  • After their acquittal, some of the accused, and also activists from the minority community, demanded that they be compensated for being “illegally framed by the police” without any evidence against them.
  • “Many of them spent years in jail while facing trial ... They should be compensated,” an activist belonging to the minority community said.

Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967

  • Unlawful Activity refers to any action taken by an individual or association whether by action/ words spoken/ written/signs to questions that disrupt the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India.
  • It is an enhancement of TADA, 1995 and POTA, 2004. It was enacted by Indira Gandhi.
  • The National Integration Council (headed by PM) appointed a Committee on National Integration and Regionalisation. Pursuant to this Committee, 16th CAA, 1963 was enacted to impose, by law, reasonable restrictions in Art 19 (Speech, Association, Assembly) in the interests of integrity and sovereignty of India. And to implement the provisions of the 1963 Constitution Amendment Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was enacted in 1967.

UAPA, 1967

NIA Amendment Act, 2019

  1. It aims at effective prevention of unlawful activities across India and abroad.
  2. Its main objective was to provide powers to Central Agencies and States to deal with terrorist activities directed against integrity and sovereignty of India.
  3. Center may designate an organization as a terrorist organization.
  4. It is applicable across the entire country.
  5. Any Indian or Foreign National charged under UAPA is liable for punishment under UAPA, 1967.
  6. It is applicable even if the crime is committed on a foreign land, outside India.
  7. Persons on ships and aircrafts registered in India.
  1. It amended Schedule 4 of UAPA which will allow NIA to designate Individuals as terrorist.
  2. It empowers DG of NIA to seize properties (which previously required permission from DGP).
  3. It allows NIA officers (Inspector and above) to investigate the cases. Earlier only DSP or ACP and above could investigate.
  4. MHA declared 4 individuals as terrorists
    1. Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar
    2. Lashkar e Taiba - Hafiz Saeed, Rehman Lakhvi
    3. Dawood Ibrahim

Analysis

  • According to NCRB data, 922 cases were reported under UAPA in 2016, which was 5% less than in 2014 (976 cases).
  • India faces 1 of the highest threats of terrorism and hence, anti-terrorism mechanisms must be stringent.
  • NIA is a specialized agency and cannot be dependent on state police for approval of seizure of property.
  • It would quicken the delivery of justice.
  • It would address the activities done by Lone Wolf who does not belong to any organization.
  • It would also give impetus to India's demand to designate Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed as terrorists in International Org.
  • But on the other hand, there are concerns of the misuse of unfettered powers given to investigative agencies. The opposition says it could also be used against political opponents.

Way Forward

  • It is important to set up a Review Committee to examine this process for fairness and objectivity.
  • There is a greater role for the judiciary to carefully examine cases of misuse. Also Judicial Review.
  • There should be a balance between individual freedom and state obligation to provide security.

Source: TH


World bank logistic performance index 2023

India is now ranked 38th out of 139 nations in the Logistic Performance Index (LPI) 2023 of the World Bank. From its previous rankings of 44th in 2018 and 54th in 2014, this is a notable improvement. Earlier, the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Report 2022 was published by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. About Logi

Smuggling of Gold

Airports discovered more than 63% of this illegal gold. The Department of Revenue Intelligence recently conducted the Golden Dawn Operation across India, seizing 101.7 kg of illegal gold valued at Rs 51 crore. Despite the fact that India receives a legal import of about 800-1,000 tonnes of gold each year, the illicit market is thought to be

India-Thailand Relations

Both parties expressed satisfaction with the ongoing bilateral defence cooperation at the 8th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand. Cultural ties and mutual cooperation that have been shaped by thousands of years of lasting historical and cultural ties characterise India and Thailand relations. Highlight

Translocation of Elephants

The Kerala government's appeal of the order of the Kerala High Court is rejected by the Supreme Court. The Kerala government's appeal against the Kerala High Court's directive to move Arikomban (Wild Elephant), the "rice tusker" of Munnar, to the Parambikulam tiger reserve was recently dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Global Buddhist Summit

Global Buddhist Summit In order to improve diplomatic and cultural ties with other nations, the Ministry of Culture recently organised the First Global Buddhist Summit 2023 in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). About the summit "Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis" is

Toppers

Search By Date

Post Feed

Newsletter Subscription
SMS Alerts

Important Links