Question : FUNCTIONING OF NIA

(a) whether the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has commenced its functioning;

(b) if so, the steps taken by the NIA to curb the financing aspects of various terrorist groups particularly Naxalite groups operating in various parts of the country;

(c) whether the said Agency is functioning independently and has the power to directly prosecute various terrorist groups functioning in various parts of the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the remedial steps taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a): Yes Madam.

(b): To curb various aspects of terrorist financing, a Terror Funding and Fake Currency Cell (TFFC) has been created in the national Investigation Agency (NIA). The Cell maintains data base of terror financing and cases of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). It also conducts part investigation into terror financing aspects of regular cases investigated by the NIA. For terror financing aspects of Naxalite groups operating in various parts of India, the TFFC Cell has conducted a number of verifications of bank accounts suspected to be linked with naxalite groups. However, the inquiries /investigation conducted by the Cell till now did not reveal linkages of suspected accounts with the known naxalite groups.

(c) & (d): The cases are assigned to the NIA by the Central Government for investigation and prosecution in accordance with section 6 of the NIA Act, 2008. The investigation of the cases is done by the Agency independently. After investigation, the cases are placed before the NIA Special Court. For prosecuting the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) and certain other schedule offences, the Agency seeks sanction of the Central Government. The sanction is granted under the UAPA based on the report of the ‘Authority’ constituted under section 45 (2) of the UAPA.