J&K Gets State Investigation Agency To Conduct Terror-Related Probes
Mumbai: For conducting a speedy investigation in terror-related cases, a State Investigation Agency (SIA) has been constituted within the J&K Police, officials said on Tuesday.
The Jammu and Kashmir Home Department, in an order issued on Monday, said the State Investigation Agency (SIA), headed by a director, will be mandated to probe terror offences like terror finance and false propaganda and those under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The order said that the SIA would coordinate with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other central agencies and take all necessary measures for speedy and effective investigation and prosecution in terrorism-related cases.
It said counterintelligence units of Kashmir and Jammu, under the CID department of the police, would be police stations under the new SIA to register cases related to terrorism.
The CID chief will be the ex-officio director of the SIA, the order said, adding that the employees posted in the SIA would be given a special incentive of 25 per cent of the basic pay.
According to the order, the SHO will immediately inform the SIA about registering a case related to terrorism and any such case of terrorism coming to the fore during the investigation.
If no case is taken up by the NIA, the Director-General of Police (DGP), taking into account the gravity of the offence and the progress of the investigation, will determine in consultation with SIA whether it is fit to be investigated by the agency and transfer the probe, it said.
“However, if there is any difference of opinion, the DGP shall take a decision by recording the reasons in writing,” the order said.
If the case is not handed over to the SIA and the local police continue to investigate it, the Police Headquarters will ensure that the SIA is informed about the progress of the investigation at regular intervals, preferably on a fortnightly basis.
Giving an edge to the SIA, the order said that if the agency is of the opinion that an offence relating to ‘scheduled offences’ has been committed, it may register an FIR under intimation to the DGP.
Scheduled offences, which have been placed in the list of SIAs include those registered under the Explosive Substances Act, UAPA and the Atomic Energy Act. Anti-hijacking, terrorist conspiracy, terrorism financing and drug-related terrorism, kidnapping and murder related terrorism are also included in the cases of scheduled offence.
Among other offences mentioned in the scheduled offences of the SIA is terrorism linked thefts and extortions, ATM and bank robbery cases, terrorist-linked weapon snatching and robbery cases and cases related to propaganda, creating a false narrative, large scale incitement, spreading disaffection, enmity against the Indian union.
(With Agency Inputs)
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