Parliament passed Unlawful Activities (Prevention) amendment Act, 2019

Parliament passed Unlawful Activities

Question: Consider the following statements regarding Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019:
(1) Only individuals will now be tagged as terrorist
(2) NIA can seize the property of the said person without any prior approval
(3) The International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005) has been added to the schedule of the act
Which of the above statement/s is/are true?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 3 only
Answer: (d)
Related facts:

  • Parliament passed Unlawful Activities (Prevention) amendment Act, 2019 on August 2, 2019 after the passage of the UAPA amendment bill, 2019 form the Rajya Sabha with a 147-42 majority.
  • The Unlawful Activities (prevention) amendment bill 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of home Affairs, Mr. Amit Shah, on July 8, 2019.
  • Lok Sabha passed this bill which will amend the Unlawful Activities (prevention) Act 1967.

Provisions added in the proposed amendment:

  • Who may Commits, participate, promotes, prepares or is otherwise involved in the Terrorism will now be tagged as terrorist without FIR, chargesheet or trial.
  • Officer of NIA has to take prior approval from DGP for investigation or to seize the property
  • Now an officer above the rank of inspector can investigate the matter.
  • Act defines terrorist to include acts committed within the scope of any of the nine treaties listed in a schedule of the act.
  • These nine treaties also include the convention for suppression of terrorist bombings (1997), and convention against Taking of hostages (1979).
  • This act adds another treaty, the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).

Ramayan Upadhyay

Links:
http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1581130
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajya-sabha-passes-controversial-uapa-bill/article28800643.ece http://www.prsindia.org/sites/default/files/bill_files/Bill%20Summary%20-%20UAPA.pdf
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/parliament-rajya-sabha-voting-uapa-bill-live-updates-1576294-2019-08-02