- Aim
- UAPA was passed in 1967.
- Seeks to prevent unlawful activities in India.
- Features
- Unlawful activity is defined as any action that disrupts the territorial integrity of India.
- Absolute power is assigned to the central government.
- Punishment
- The highest punishments include death penalty and life imprisonment.
- Applicability
- Applicable to both Indian and foreign nationals, even on foreign land.
- Time Period
- Charges can be filed within 180 days of arrests.
- Amendments
- 2004 amendment added “terrorist act” to offenses, banned 34 outfits.
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019
- In August 2019, Parliament cleared the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 to designate people as terrorists.
- Act gives powers to the Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) to sanction seizure or attachment of property.
- The Act also permits officers of NIA to probe terrorism cases.
