The Lok Sabha has passed the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
What is NIA?
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was set up in 2009 under the NIA Act, 2008.
It was set up in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack.
At present, NIA is functioning as the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency in India.
It aims to be a thoroughly professional investigative agency matching the best international standards at the national level, by developing into a highly trained, partnership-oriented workforce.
It aims to discourage the existing and potential terrorist groups/individuals.
It aims to develop as a storehouse of terrorist related information.
What are the provisions of NIA act, 2008?
Type of offences - NIA can investigate offences under Acts such as the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.
NIA’s jurisdiction - For the offences under its purview, NIA officers have the same power as other police officers and these extend across the country.
Trial Courts - The existing Act allows the Centre to constitute special courts for NIA’s trials.
What are the changes in NIA (Amendment) Bill 2019?
Type of offences that the NIA can investigate and prosecute is now expanded.
This will enable NIA to additionally investigate offences related to human trafficking, counterfeit currency, manufacture or sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism, and offences under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.
NIA’s jurisdiction - The Bill gives NIA officers the power to investigate offences committed outside India. The Special Court in New Delhi will have jurisdiction over these cases.
Its jurisdiction outside India will be subject to international treaties and domestic laws of other countries.
Special trial courts can be designated by the Central government for the offences that come under NIA’s purview or the “scheduled offences”.
The Bill enables the Centre to designate sessions courts as special courts.
The Centre is required to consult the Chief Justice of the High Court under which the Sessions Court is functioning, before designating it.
The state governments may also designate Sessions Courts as Special Courts for the trial of scheduled offences.
