Why in News ?

The government has empowered the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

• Thus NIA For Narcotics Law Offences need not rely on local police or other agencies to unravel drug trade ties that emerge in the course of its counter-terrorism operations.

About the NIA For Narcotics Law Offences

• NIA officers of inspector rank and above have been vested with the same powers as an officer in charge of a police station under the 1985 NDPS law, as per a notification issued by the Revenue Department in the Ministry of Finance.
• This change had been operationalised after consultations with State governments, and would help expedite the NIA in its probes such as the gold smuggling case in Kerala, where links had emerged with drug trafficking.
• Enabling provision so that NIA officers could seize narcotic substances, if any, found during searches in cases investigated by them.
  • In the absence of such an enabling order, NIA officers could not seize the narcotic substances and were required to ask the local police to take up a separate case.
  • This had become imperative as several cases of narco-terrorism are being investigated by NIA

About National Investigation Agency

• Government proposed to enact a legislation to make provisions for establishment of a National Investigation Agency with a jurisdiction framework with provisions for taking up specific cases under specific Acts for investigation.
  • NIA Act was enacted on 31-12-08 and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was established.
• NIA is functioning as the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency in India under Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Professional investigation of scheduled offences using the latest scientific methods of investigation, ensuring effective and speedy trial.
  • Assist all States and other investigating agencies in investigation of terrorist cases.
• NIA Act
  • Central Government can order NIA to take over investigation of any offences that comes under the Act. 
  • Besides with the request of State to centre NIA can probe subject if registered under NIA Act. 

Source : The Hindu

Topic

GS III : Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

Current Affairs Compilation : 24 September 2020