Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: The government has extended the ban on ‘Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir’ as an ‘Unlawful Association’ for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.
This extension comes after the outfit was initially declared unlawful on February 28, 2019. Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir has been involved in fostering terrorism and anti-India propaganda, leading to secessionist sentiments in Jammu and Kashmir.
What is an ‘Unlawful Association’?
An ‘Unlawful Association’ refers to an organization or group that has been deemed illegal or prohibited by the government due to its involvement in activities that pose a threat to national security, sovereignty, or integrity.
What is UAPA?
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is an anti-terrorism law enacted in India (in 1967) with the aim of preventing unlawful activities and combating terrorism. The Act assigns absolute power to the central government, by way of which if the Centre deems an activity as unlawful then it may, by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so.
Key features of UAPA:
- Under UAPA, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged.
- It will be applicable to the offenders in the same manner, even if the crime is committed in a foreign land, outside India.
- It has the death penalty and life imprisonment as the highest punishments.
- Under the UAPA, the investigating agency can file a charge sheet in maximum of 180 days after the arrests and the duration can be extended further after intimating the court.
- As per amendments of 2019: The Act empowers the Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA)to grant approval of seizure or attachment of property when the case is investigated by the said agency.
- The Act empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases of terrorism in addition to those conducted by the DSP or ACP or above rank officer in the state.
- It also included the provision of designating an individual as a terrorist.
