Rattled by the Mumbai terror attacks, the government today introduced two Bills to set up a National Investigation Agency (NIA) with special powers and to amend the law to provide for more stringent action to deal with terrorism effectively.
The National Investigation Agency Bill 2008 and The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill were moved by Home Minister P Chidambaram in the Lok Sabha, a day after the Union Cabinet gave its nod to such measures.
The NIA Bill provides for setting up of Special Courts for speedy trial of terror-related offences, with hearings to be held on day-to-day basis. Any case pending in any special court can be transfered to any other special court.
Notwithstanding law and order being the state subject, officers of the NIA above the rank of Sub Inspector will have special powers to pursue and investigate any offence related to terror across the country.
Officers of the Agency would enjoy all powers, duties, privileges and liabilities which the local police officers have in connection with cases related to terror.
The Bill to amend the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act has stringent provisions, including detention period of 180 days instead of 90 days now and denial of bail altogether to a foreigner accused of terrorism in the country.
Even an Indian national accused in a terror-related case cannot be released on bail or on his own bond unless the public prosecutor has been given an opportunity of being heard on the application for such release.
