UAPA amendment bill passed by Rajya Sabha: Here's all you need to know

Rajya Sabha has passed the Unlawful Activities Prevention Amendment (UAPA) Bill that will allow the authorities to designate an individual as "terrorist". While Lok Sabha had passed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 that seeks to amend the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 on July 24, Rajya Sabha approved it by voice vote on Friday after rejecting an opposition-sponsored motion to send it to select committee.

The amendment bill also removes the requirement of taking take prior permission of the Director-General of Police of a state for conducting raids and seizing properties that are suspected to be linked to terrorist activities if the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The investigating officer, under the Bill, only requires sanction from the Director-General of NIA.

Rajya Sabha rejected the opposition-sponsored motion to send the amendment to select committee with 104 votes against it as compared to 85 in favor. The House passed the amendment to the law with 147 votes in favor and 42 against it.

Replying to a debate on the amendment, Home Minister Amit Shah said four-level scrutiny has been provided in the amendment and no human rights will be violated. He said declaring individuals as terrorists are required as they float different organizations once an institution is banned.

Individuals can be declared terrorists if they commit or participate in acts of terrorism, prepare or promote terror, he said. The amendment will expedite prosecution in terror cases, he said.

Terrorism has no religion, terrorists are against humanity, he said seeking the support of all parties to support stringent laws against terrorism. Responding to opposition concerns of the law being misused, he said no one's human rights will be violated as four-stage scrutiny with provision for appeal has been prescribed when individuals are declared terrorists.

Elaborating on the track record of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), he said out of 278 terror cases registered by the agency, charge sheet has been filed in 204 cases. Of the 54 cases where judgments have come, the conviction has been there in 48. Track record of NIA in conviction in terror cases is outstanding, he said.