Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azahar will be first to be named under amended UAPA: Officials
New Delhi, Jul 27 (UNI) Dreaded terrorists Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed will be the first two to be banned as individuals in India once the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) amendments gets Parliament’s nod.
Hafiz Saeed was the key conspirator of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks whereas Masood Azhar was responsible for the recent Pulwama attack and also key conspirator in 2001 attack on Parliament.
"Terrorism is a global fight, and it will help India's case at the international level if they are designated as terrorists here," the Home Ministry officials said.
As per the new UAPA amendments passed by the Lok Sabha, Centre can impose a travel ban on such individuals and seize their properties as per law.
The amendments in UAPA Act yet to get the approval of the Rajya Sabha.
The proposed amendments in the law will be in conformity with United Nations conventions as well as international standards. "The government will then share data on them with other countries too," the officials said.
The action will be taken against individuals under the law only with the Union Home Ministry's approval, the officials added.
"Redressal forums will be made available if the individual feels that he or she has been wrongly implicated," a senior official in the Ministry clarified.
“Individuals designated as terrorists can appeal to the Union Home Secretary, who will have to dispose of the plea within 45 days. In addition to this, they can also approach a ‘Review Committee’ comprising a sitting or retired Judge and at least two retired Secretaries of Government.
Once the proposed amendments in the existing law becomes operational, the probe agency can actions like seizing his assets or imposing a travel ban on him, an official in security set up said.
So far 42 groups were declared unlawful in the last 15 years and only one organisation ‘Deendar Anjuman’ had pleaded before the Government against the decision initially but when reconfirmed by the competent authority, the group did not challenge in the Court.
"The checks and balances mechanism has been made robust to prevent misuse of the new provisions" the official further said.
The Lok Sabha on last Wednesday gave approval to amendment to the UAPA authorising the Government to designate individuals as terrorists.
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