Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967

Why in News?                                                                                                        

Government of India has declared ‘Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir (TeH)’ as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.

What is UAPA 1967?

• The UAPA is an anti-terrorism law first passed in 1967, aimed at protecting the sovereignty and integrity of a nation by preventing activities that threaten it.
• Objective: It provides more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations and dealing with terrorist activities and other connected matters.
• Designation as a terrorist organization: Commits or participates in acts of terrorism, Promotes terrorism, Prepares for terrorism, Is otherwise involved in terrorism. The Bill also empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds.
• Punishments: The highest punishment is the death penalty and life imprisonment.
• Coverage: Offense and offender can be both Indian and foreign nationals. The offense committed on foreign land can also attract UAPA provisions.
• Investigation: To be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above. Officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, are empowered to investigate cases under UAPA (National Investigation Agency (NIA) functions as the Central Counter-Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency in India)
• Seizure of property: Prior approval of the Director General of Police/ NIA needs to be taken by the investigating officer to seize properties that may be connected with terrorism.