KNB News Desk
Srinagar 02 November (KNB): Government of J&K has ordered for the formation of the State Investigation Agency (SIA) for investigation and prosecution related to militancy related offences, speedy and effective investigation and prosecution of militancy related cases.
The order copy lying with KNB reads that Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a specialized agency to be called the State Investigation Agency (SIA) for investigation and prosecution of the offences specified in Annexure to this order. The SIA shall be the Nodal Agency for coordinating with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other Central Agencies and shall take such other measures as may be necessary speedy and effective investigation and prosecution of militancy related cases.
As per the order, the SIA shall consist of a Director and such number of officers and employees as are deputed by the Government from time to time. It further said that the CID, CIK and CID, CIJ, already notified as police stations vide notification bearing SRO-230 of 1977 dated 19.05.1977, shall also be the police stations for the purposes of registering and investigation of cases, mentioned in the Annexure to this Order.
It was further said that all the officers In-charge of the Police Stations shall mandatorily intimate the SIA immediately upon registration of militancy related cases, including those specified in the Annexure to this Government order, and also about such cases where any terrorism linkage surfaces during the investigation. “wherever, upon intimation /s 6 of the National Investigation Act, 2008, the investigation is not taken up by the NIA, the DGP, J&K shall, having regard to the gravity of the offence, progress of investigation and other relevant factors, determine in consultation with the SIA whether the case is fit to be investigated by SIA & transfer the investigation of the such case at any point of time during its investigation; however, if there is difference of opinion, the DGP shall take a decision, while recording the reasons in writing,” read the order.
“In such cases, where the investigation is not transferred to the SIA, the PHQ shall ensure that the SIA is kept informed about the progress of investigation at regular intervals, preferably on fortnightly basis,” it said, adding that “where SIA is of the opinion that an offence specified in Annexure this order has been committed, which is fit to be investigated by it, the SIA shall register an FIR, suo motu, while keeping the DGP, J&K informed.”
As per the order, the SIA shall also be the agency for investigation and trial of offences in cases which are transferred to the State Government in terms of section 7 of the National Investigation Act, 2008.
However, the head of CID wing shall be the ex-officio Director of the SIA and the Director SIA shall, to the extent it pertains to the functioning of the SIA, exercise such powers as may be specified by the Government from time to time. “A special incentive of 25% of the basic pay shall be paid to the employees who are posted in the SIA,” the order said.
State Investigation Agency (SIA) will investigate and do prosecution of the offences specified as:
The Explosive Substances Act, 1908 (6 of 1908); The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962); The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967); The Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016(30 of 2016); The Suppression of Unlawful acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982 (66 of 1982); The SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act, 1993 (36 of 1993 ); The Suppression of Unlawful acts against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002 (69 of 2002) and The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005 (21 of 2005).
SIA to also deal with offence under Chapter VI of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) [sections 121 to 130 (both inclusive)]; Sections 370 and 370A of Chapter XVI of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860); Sections 489-A to 489-E (both inclusive) of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860); Sub-section (1AA) of section 25 of Chapter V of the Arms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959); and Section 66F of Chapter XI of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000).
The investigative body will also deal with offences having militancy linkage; all militant acts including Militancy Financing and circulation of High Quality Fake India Currency Notes Cases; Militancy related larger conspiracy cases; Militant Financing and militancy linked NDPS cases; militancy linked kidnapping and murder cases; militancy linked thefts/extortions, ATM/bank robbery cases; militancy linked weapon snatching/robbery cases and Cases relating to militancy linked propaganda, false narrative, large scale incitement, spreading of disaffection, enmity against the Indian Union. (KNB)