Sign In
Learn bits
Polity & Governance
Mahesh

02/01/24 06:23 AM IST

Gangster Goldy Brar declared designated terrrorist under UAPA

In News
  • Gangster Goldy Brar, the mastermind behind the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, was declared a designated terrorist by the Centre under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Terrorist
  • The words “terror” or “terrorist” are not defined, but the UAPA defines a “terrorist act” as any act committed with intent to threaten or likely to threaten the unity, integrity, security, economic security, or sovereignty of India or with intent to strike terror or likely to strike terror in the people or any section of the people in India or in any foreign country.
  • While the original Act dealt with “unlawful” acts related to secession; anti-terror provisions were introduced in 2004.
  • The 2019 Bill sought to empower the central government to designate an individual a “terrorist” if they are found committing, preparing for, promoting, or involved in an act of terror.
  • A similar provision already existed in Part 4 and 6 of the legislation for organisations that can be designated as a “terrorist organisation”.
Declaration of individual as terrorist
  • The central government may designate an individual as a terrorist through a notification in the official gazette, and add his name to the Fourth Schedule to the UAPA.
  • The government is not required to give an individual an opportunity to be heard before such a designation.
  • At present, in line with the legal presumption of an individual being innocent until proven guilty, an individual who is convicted in a terror case is legally referred to as a terrorist, while those suspected of being involved in terrorist activities are referred to as terror accused.
  • The 2019 amendment did not clarify the standard of proof required to establish that an individual is involved, or is likely to be involved, in terrorist activities
  • The designation of an individual as a global terrorist by the United Nations is associated with sanctions including travel bans, freezing of assets and an embargo against procuring arms.
  • The 2019 amendment, however, did not provide any such detail.
  • The amendment also gave the Centre the power to remove a name from the schedule when an individual makes an application.
  •  If an application filed by an individual declared a terrorist is rejected by the government, they have the right to seek a review within one month after the application is rejected.
  • Under the amendment, the central government set up a review committee comprising a chairperson (a retired or sitting judge of a High Court) and three other members.
  • The review committee will be empowered to order the government to delete the name of the individual from the schedule that lists “terrorists”, if it considers the order to be flawed.
  • Apart from these two avenues, the individual can also move the courts challenging the government’s order.
Source- Indian Express

More Related Current Affairs View All

13 Aug

Working of satellite internet

'Satellite internet is revolutionizing how we connect, extending high-speed access to virtually every corner of the globe, regardless of location.' Imagine getting online from t

Read More

13 Aug

CBSE’s plan for open-book exams

'The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially approved the introduction of Open-Book Assessments (OBAs) for Class 9 students starting from the 2026-27 academic se

Read More

12 Aug

Stray dog problem

'The Supreme Court  directed the Delhi government, civic bodies, and authorities of Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad to round up and move stray dogs to shelters, underlining the

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps