National Investigation Agency

Logo of National Investigation Agency

The National Investigation Agency (known by its acronym NIA) is the main counter-terrorist task force of India.[1] The agency is empowered to deal with the investigation of terror related crimes across states. They deal those case without special permission from the states under written proclamation from the Home ministry of India.

History

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The Agency came into existence with the enactment of the National Investigation Agency Act 2008 by the Parliament of India on 31 December 2008. It was passed after the deadly 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. Such an attack revealed the failure of intelligence and ability to track such activities by existing agencies in India. Hence the government of India understands the need of a specific body to deal with terror related activities in India, thereby establishing the NIA.[2][3][4][5]

Locations

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It's headquarters is in New Delhi. The NIA also has branches in Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, Raipur, Jammu, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Chennai and Imphal.[6]

NIA headquarters in New Delhi

Bill

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A bill for the formation of the National Investigation Agency was passed by Parliament in December 2008. As per the bill, NIA has existing jurisdiction. It empowers the Central Agency to probe terror attacks in any part of the country. It covers offences, including challenge to the country's sovereignty and integrity, bomb blasts, hijacking of aircraft and ships, attacks on nuclear installations.

The National Investigative Agency Bill and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill on Tuesday, 30 December 2008, became a law as President Pratibha Patil gave her assent to the legislation which was passed in the last session of the parliament.

NIA (Amendment) Bill 2019

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The NIA (Amendment) Bill 2019 was passed by the parliament on 17 July 2019. The Bill aims to give more teeth to the investigating powers of the NIA. It empowers the NIA to probe terror attacks targeting Indians and Indian interests abroad.[7] The aims of the bill is to primarily empower the anti-terror agency to investigate offences such as human trafficking; circulation of fake currency; manufacture and sale of prohibited arms; and cyber-terrorism.

Special NIA Courts

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Various Special Courts have been notified by the Central Government of India for trial of the cases registered at various police stations of NIA under Section 11 and 22 of the NIA Act 2008. Any question as to the jurisdiction of these courts is decided by the Central Government. These are presided over by a judge. The judge is appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the High Court with jurisdiction in that region.[8]

At present there are 38 Special NIA Courts.[9] State Governments have also been empowered to appoint one or more such special courts in their states.[8]

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Sources

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  1. ↑ "NIA to have new HQ complex on Tuesday". The Economic Times.
  2. ↑ "National Investigation Agency: About Us". National Investigation Agency. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  3. ↑ TNN 16 Dec 2008, 12.04am IST (2008-12-16). "Finally, govt clears central terror agency, tougher laws". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2013-09-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ "Cabinet clears bill to set up federal probe agency". Ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  5. ↑ PTI 16 Dec 2008, 07.40pm IST (2008-12-16). "Govt tables bill to set up National Investigation Agency". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2013-09-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "Branch Offices". National Investigation Agency.
  7. ↑ "Parliament approves Bill to give NIA more teeth". India Today. Press Trust of India New Delhi. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "National Investigation Agency Act 2008" (PDF). National Investigation Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  9. ↑ "National Investigation Agency - Courts". Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.

Other websites

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