Supreme Court Extends NIA's Reach to Non-Scheduled Offences

The Supreme Court ruled that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) can investigate accused individuals involved in non-scheduled offences if these crimes are linked to scheduled offences. This was stated while dismissing a plea related to cross-border drug smuggling, permitting expanded investigations to ensure comprehensive legal actions.

In a crucial decision, the Supreme Court has expanded the investigative scope of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), permitting it to probe non-scheduled offences if they are connected with scheduled offences.

The ruling, delivered by a bench comprising Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, asserts that non-scheduled offences linked to scheduled ones fall under NIA's jurisdiction.

The ruling came during the dismissal of a plea by Ankush Vipan Kapoor, accused in an organized drug smuggling syndicate, emphasizing the need for comprehensive investigations in cases of national security.

(With inputs from agencies.)