Lok Sabha passes bill to strengthen NIA: Details here
What's the story
The Lok Sabha on Monday passed The National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2019, to strengthen the NIA. The Bill empowers the anti-terror agency to investigate offenses in both India and abroad. Notably, the Opposition had raised concerns of possible "misuse" of the law to target members of a particular community. However, Home Minister Amit Shah has categorically refuted these claims. Here's more.
Lok Sabha
Bill received 278 votes in favor; 6 against
The Bill was passed with 278 members voting in favor, while six voted against it, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said. Dismissing the allegations of misuse, Shah, ahead of the Lok Sabha session, said, "The Modi government has no such intention. Its only goal is to finish off Terrorism but we will also not look at the religion of the accused while taking action."
Shah
Shah criticized previous UPA government for scrapping POTA
Shah also targeted the previous Congress-led UPA government which had repealed the anti-terror Prevention of Terrorism Act or POTA over alleged "misuse." Shah claimed the Congress repealed the Act to "save its vote-bank," adding terror attacks increased after POTA was scrapped. The same UPA government formed the NIA in 2009 following the Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives.
Information
Shah clashed with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in Lok Sabha
Separately, a heated discussion also followed in the Lower House between the Home Minister and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, once the latter, along with several Opposition leaders, interrupted BJP's Satyapal Singh's speech, which alleged political interference in an investigation led by the then-Hyderabad Police commissioner.
Bill
What is the National Investigative Agency (Amendment) Bill?
The Bill amends the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008, bringing three major changes to the Act. The Bill allows NIA officers (who have the same powers as other police officers) to investigate offenses committed outside India, according to PRS Legislative Research. However, NIA jurisdiction will be subject to international treaties and domestic laws of other countries.
Scheduled offenses
Bill includes other offenses like human trafficking, counterfeiting, cyber-terrorism, etc.
According to PRS, the Bill also proposes to include more offenses under the Act's scheduled offenses such as human trafficking, counterfeit currency, manufacture or sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism, and offenses under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. Currently, scheduled offenses include those under Acts such as the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.
Special Courts
Bill authorizes Centre to designate Sessions Courts as Special Courts
Currently, the Act allows Centre to create Special Courts for trials of scheduled offenses. The Bill, however, authorizes the Centre to designate Sessions Courts as Special Courts for such trials after consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court. Additionally, PRS stated that state governments will also be allowed to designate Sessions Courts as Special Courts for the trials.