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THE
PREVENTION OF TERRORISM ORDINANCE, 2001
NO 9 of 2001
Promulgated by the President in the Fifty-second Year of the Republic of
India.
An Ordinance to make provisions for the prevention of, and for dealing
with, terrorist activities and for matters connected therewith.
WHEREAS Parliament is not in session and the President is satisfied that
circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate
action;
NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of
article 123 of the Constitution, the President is pleased to promulgate
the following Ordinance:-
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. (1) This Ordinance may be called the Prevention of Terrorism
Ordinance, 2001.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) Every person shall be liable to punishment under this Ordinance for
every act or omission contrary to the provisions thereof, of which he is
held guilty in India.
(4) Any person who commits an offence beyond India which is punishable
under this Ordinance shall be dealt with according to the provisions of
this Ordinance in the same manner as if such act had been committed in
India.
(5) The provisions of this Ordinance apply also to-
(a) citizens of India outside India;
(b) persons in the service of the Government, wherever they may be; and
(c) persons on ships and aircrafts, registered in India, wherever they
may be.
(6) It shall come into force at once and shall remain in force for a
period of five years from the date of its commencement, but its expiry
under the operation of this sub-section shall not affect -
(a) the previous operation of, or anything duly done or suffered under
this Ordinance, or
(b) any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or
incurred under this Ordinance, or
(c) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any
offence under this Ordinance, or
(d) any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such
right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or
punishment as aforesaid,
and, any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy any be
instituted, continued or enforced and any such penalty, forfeiture or
punishment may be imposed as if this Ordinance had not expired.
2. (1) In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "Code" means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973;
(b) “Designated Authority” shall mean such officer of the Central
Government not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government, or
such officer of the State Government not below the rank of Secretary to
the Government, as the case may be, as may be specified by the Central
Government or as the case may be, the State Government, by a
notification published in the Official Gazette;
(c) “proceeds of terrorism” shall mean all kinds of properties which
have been derived or obtained from commission of any terrorist act or
have been acquired through funds traceable to a terrorist act, and shall
include cash, irrespective of person in whose name such proceeds are
standing or in whose possession they are found;
(d) "property" means property and assets of every description, whether
corporeal or incorporeal, movable or immovable, tangible or intangible
and deeds and instruments evidencing title to, or interest in, such
property or assets;
(e) “Public Prosecutor" means a Public Prosecutor or an Additional
Public Prosecutor or a Special Public Prosecutor appointed under section
28 and includes any person acting under the directions of the Public
Prosecutor;
(f) “Special Court” means a Special Court constituted under section 23;
(g) “terrorist act" has the meaning assigned to it in sub-section (1) of
section 3, and the expression "terrorist" shall be construed
accordingly;
(h) “State Government”, in relation to a Union territory, means the
Administrator thereof;
(i) words and expressions used but not defined in this Ordinance and
defined in the Code shall have the meanings respectively assigned to
them in the Code.
(2) Any reference in this Ordinance to any enactment or any provision
thereof shall, in relation to an area in which such enactment or such
provision is not in force, be construed as a reference to the
corresponding law or the relevant provision of the corresponding law, if
any, in force in that area.
CHAPTER II
PUNISHMENT FOR, AND MEASURES FOR DEALING WITH, TERRORIST ACTIVITIES
3. (1) Whoever, -
(a) with intent to threaten the unity, integrity, security or
sovereignty of India or to strike terror in the people or any section of
the people does any act or thing by using bombs, dynamite or other
explosive substances or inflammable substances or fire arms or other
lethal weapons or poisons or noxious gases or other chemicals or by any
other substances (whether biological or otherwise) of a hazardous nature
or by any other means whatsoever, in such a manner as to cause, or
likely to cause, death of, or injuries to any person or persons or loss
of, or damage to, or destruction of, property or disruption of any
supplies or services essential to the life of the community or causes
damage or destruction of any property or equipment used or intended to
be used for the defence of India or in connection with any other
purposes of the Government of India, any State Government or any of
their agencies, or detains any person and threatens to kill or injure
such person in order to compel the Government or any other person to do
or abstain from doing any act;
(b) is or continues to be a member of an association declared unlawful
under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, or voluntarily
does an act aiding or promoting in any manner the objects of such
association and in either case is in possession of any unlicensed
firearms, ammunition, explosive or other instrument or substance capable
of causing mass destruction and commits any act resulting in loss of
human life or grievous injury to any person or causes significant damage
to any property,
commits a terrorist act.
Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-section, “a terrorist act”
shall include the act of raising funds intended for the purpose of
terrorism.
(2) Whoever commits a terrorist act, shall,-
(i) if such act has resulted in the death of any person, be punishable
with death or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine;
(ii) in any other case, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which
shall not be less than five years but which may extend to imprisonment
for life and shall also be liable to fine.
(3) Whoever conspires or attempts to commit, or advocates, abets,
advises or incites or knowingly facilitates the commission of, a
terrorist act or any act preparatory to a terrorist act, shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than
five years but which may extend to imprisonment for life and shall also
be liable to fine.
(4) Whoever voluntarily harbours or conceals, or attempts to harbour or
conceal any person knowing that such person is a terrorist shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than
three years but which may extend to imprisonment for life and shall also
be liable to fine:
Provided that this sub-section shall not apply to any case in which the
harbour or concealment is by the husband or wife of the offender.
(5) Any person who is a member of a terrorist gang or a terrorist
organisation, which is involved in terrorist acts, shall be punishable
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to imprisonment for life
or with fine which may extend to rupees ten lakh or with both.
Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-section, “terrorist
organisation” means an organisation which is concerned with or involved
in terrorism.
(6) Whoever knowingly holds any property derived or obtained from
commission of any terrorist act or has been acquired through the
terrorist funds shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which
may extend to imprisonment for life or with fine which may extend to
rupees ten lakh or with both.
(7) Whoever threatens any person who is a witness or any other person in
whom such witness may be interested, with violence, or wrongfully
restrains or confines the witness, or any other person in whom the
witness may be interested, or does any other unlawful act with the said
intent, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three
years and fine.
(8) A person receiving or in possession of information which he knows or
believes to be of material assistance-
(i) in preventing the commission by any other person of a terrorist act;
or
ii) in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of any other
person for an offence involving the commission, preparation or
instigation of such an act,
and fails, without reasonable cause, to disclose that information as
soon as reasonably practicable to the police, shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine or
with both:
Provided that a legal practitioner of the accused shall not be bound to
disclose such information which he might have received while defending
the accused.
4. Where any person is in unauthorized possession of any,-
(a) arms or ammunition specified in columns (2) and (3) of Category I or
Category III (a) of Schedule I to the Arms Rules, 1962, in a notified
area,
(b) bombs, dynamite or hazardous explosive substances or other lethal
weapons capable of mass destruction or biological or chemical substances
of warfare in any area, whether notified or not,
he shall be guilty of terrorist act notwithstanding anything contained
in any other law for the time being in force, and be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to imprisonment for life or
with fine which may extend to rupees ten lakh or with both.
Explanation :- In this section “notified area” means such area as the
State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
5. (1) If any person with intent to aid any terrorist contravenes any
provision of, or any rule made under, the Arms Act, 1959, the Explosives
Act, 1884, the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 or the Inflammable
Substances Act, 1952, he shall, notwithstanding anything contained in
any of the aforesaid Acts or the rules made thereunder, be punishable
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to imprisonment for life
and shall also be liable to fine.
(2) For the purposes of this section, any person who attempts to
contravene or abets, or does any act preparatory to the contravention of
any provision of any law, rule or order, shall be deemed to have
contravened that provision, and the provisions of sub-section (1) shall,
in relation to such person, have effect subject to the modification that
the reference to “imprisonment for life" shall be construed as a
reference to “imprisonment for ten years".
6. (1) No person shall hold or be in possession of any proceeds of
terrorism.
(2) Proceeds of terrorism, whether held by a terrorist or by any other
person and whether or not such person is prosecuted or convicted under
this Ordinance, shall be liable to be forfeited to the Central
Government or the State Government, as the case may be, in the manner
provided under this Chapter.
7. (1) If an officer (not below the rank of Superintendent of Police)
investigating an offence committed under this Ordinance, has reason to
believe that any property in relation to which an investigation is being
conducted, represents proceeds of terrorism, he shall, with the prior
approval in writing of the Director General of the Police of the State
in which such property is situated, make an order seizing such property
and where it is not practicable to seize such property, make an order of
attachment directing that such property shall not be transferred or
otherwise dealt with except with the prior permission of the officer
making such order, or of the Designated Authority, or the Special Court,
as the case may be, before whom the properties seized or attached are
produced and a copy of such order shall be served on the person
concerned.
(2) The investigating officer shall duly inform the Designated Authority
or, as the case may be, the Special Court, within forty-eight hours of
the seizure or attachment of such property.
(3) It shall be open to the Designated Authority or the Special Court
before whom the seized or attached properties are produced either to
confirm or revoke the order of attachment so issued:
Provided that an opportunity of making a representation by the person
whose property is being attached shall be given.
(4) In the case of immovable property attached by the investigating
officer, it shall be deemed to have been produced before the Designated
Authority or the Special Court, as the case may be, when the
investigating officer notifies his report and places it at the disposal
of the Designated Authority or the Special Court, as the case may be.
(5) The investigating officer may seize and detain any cash to which
this Chapter applies if he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that-
(a) it is intended to be used for the purposes of terrorism;
(b) it forms the whole or part of the resources of an organisation
declared as terrorist organisation under this Ordinance:
Provided that the cash seized under this sub-section by the
investigating officer shall be released not later than the period of
forty- eight hours beginning with the time when it is seized unless the
matter involving the cash is before the Designated Authority, or as the
case may be, the Special Court and such authority or, as the case may
be, the Court passes an order allowing its retention beyond forty-eight
hours.
Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-section “cash” means-
(a) coins and notes in any currency;
(b) postal orders;
(c) traveller’s cheques;
(d) banker’s drafts; and
(e) such other monetary instruments as the Central Government, or as the
case may be, the State Government may specify by an order made in
writing.
8. Where any property is seized or attached in the belief that it
constitutes proceeds of terrorism and is produced before the Designated
Authority, it shall, on being satisfied that the said property consists
of proceeds of terrorism, order forfeiture of such property, whether or
not the person from whose possession it is seized or attached, is
prosecuted in a Special Court for an offence under this Ordinance.
9. (1) No order forfeiting any proceeds of terrorism shall be made under
section 8 unless the person holding or in possession of such proceeds is
given a notice in writing informing him of the grounds on which it is
proposed to forfeit the proceeds of terrorism and such person is given
an opportunity of making a representation in writing within such
reasonable time as may be specified in the notice against the grounds of
forfeiture and is also given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in
the matter.
(2) No order of forfeiture shall be made under sub-section (1), if such
person establishes that he is a bona fide transferee of such proceeds
for value without knowing that they represent proceeds of terrorism.
(3) It shall be competent for the Designated Authority to make an order
in respect of property seized or attached,-
(a) directing it to be sold if it is a perishable property and the
provisions of section 459 of the Code shall, as nearly as may be
practicable, apply to the net proceeds of such sale;
(b) nominating any officer of the Central or State Government, in the
case of any other property, to perform the function of the Administrator
of such property subject to such conditions as may be specified by the
Designated Authority.
10. (1) Any person aggrieved by an order of forfeiture under section 8
may, within one month from the date of the receipt of such order, appeal
to the High Court within whose jurisdiction, the Designated Authority,
who passed the order appealed against, is situated.
(2) Where an order under section 8 is modified or annulled by the High
Court or where in a prosecution instituted for the contravention of the
provisions of this Ordinance, the person against whom an order of
forfeiture has been made under section 8 is acquitted, such property
shall be returned to him and in either case if it is not possible for
any reason to return the forfeited property, such person shall be paid
the price therefor as if the property had been sold to the Central
Government with reasonable interest calculated from the day of seizure
of the property and such price shall be determined in the manner
prescribed.
11. The order of forfeiture made under this Ordinance by the Designated
Authority, shall not prevent the infliction of any other punishment to
which the person affected thereby is liable under this Ordinance.
12. (1) Where any claim is preferred, or any objection is made to the
seizure of any property under section 7 on the ground that such property
is not liable to seizure, the Designated Authority, or as the case may
be, the Special Court, before whom such property is produced, shall
proceed to investigate the claim or objection:
Provided that no such investigation shall be made where the Designated
Authority or the Special Court considers that the claim or objection was
designed to cause unnecessary delay.
(2) In case claimant or objector establishes that the property specified
in the notice issued under section 9 is not liable to be attached or
forfeited under the Ordinance, the said notice shall be withdrawn or
modified accordingly.
13. The Designated Authority, acting under the provisions of this
Ordinance, shall have all the powers of a Civil Court required for
making a full and fair enquiry into the matter before it.
14. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, the officer
investigating any offence under this Ordinance, with prior approval in
writing of an officer not below the rank of a Superintendent of Police,
may require any officer or authority of the Central Government or a
State Government or a local authority or a Bank, company, or a firm or
any other institution, establishment, organisation or any individual to
furnish information in their possession in relation to such offence, on
points or matters, where the investigating officer has reason to believe
that such information will be useful for, or relevant to, the purposes
of this Ordinance.
(2) Failure to furnish the information called for under sub-section (1),
or deliberately furnishing false information shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or
with both.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, the offence under
sub-section (1) shall be tried as a summary case and the procedure
prescribed in Chapter XXI of the said Code [except sub-section (2) of
section 262] shall be applicable thereto.
15. Where, after the issue of an order under section 7 or issue of a
notice under section 9, any property referred to in the said order or
notice is transferred by any mode whatsoever, such transfer shall, for
the purpose of the proceedings under this Ordinance, be ignored and if
such property is subsequently forfeited, the transfer of such property
shall be deemed to be null and void.
16. (1) Where any person is accused of any offence under this Ordinance,
it shall be open to the Special Court trying him to pass an order that
all or any of the properties, movable or immovable or both belonging to
him, shall, during the period of such trial, be attached, if not already
attached under this Ordinance.
(2) Where a person has been convicted of any offence punishable under
this Ordinance, the Special Court may, in addition to awarding any
punishment, by order in writing, declare that any property, movable or
immovable or both, belonging to the accused and specified in the order,
shall stand forfeited to the Central Government or the State Government,
as the case may be, free from all encumbrances.
17. Where any shares in a company stand forfeited to the Central
Government or the State Government, as the case may be, under this
Ordinance, then, the company shall on receipt of the order of the
Special Court, notwithstanding anything contained in the Companies Act,
1956, or the articles of association of the company, forthwith register
the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, as
the transferee of such shares.
CHAPTER III
TERRORIST ORGANISATIONS
18. (1) For the purposes of this Ordinance an organisation is a
terrorist organisation if,-
(a) it is listed in the Schedule, or
(b) it operates under the same name as an organisation listed in that
Schedule.
(2) The Central Government may by order, in the Official Gazette,-
(a) add an organisation to the Schedule;
(b) remove an organisation from that Schedule;
(c) amend that Schedule in some other way.
(3) The Central Government may exercise its power under clause (a) of
sub-section (2) in respect of an organisation only if it believes that
it is involved in terrorism.
(4) For the purposes of sub-section (3) an organisation shall be deemed
to be involved in terrorism if it—
(a) commits or participates in acts of terrorism,
(b) prepares for terrorism,
(c) promotes or encourages terrorism, or
(d) is otherwise involved in terrorism.
19. (1) An application may be made to the Central Government for the
exercise of its power under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 18
to remove an organisation from the Schedule.
(2) An application may be made by—
(a) the organisation, or
(b) any person affected by inclusion of the organisation in the Schedule
as a terrorist organisation.
(3) The Central Government may make rules to prescribe the procedure for
admission and disposal of an application made under this section.
(4) Where an application under sub-section (1) has been refused, the
applicant may apply for a review to the Review Committee constituted by
the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 59 within one
month from the date of receipt of the order by the applicant.
(5) The Review Committee may allow an application for review against
refusal to remove an organisation from the Schedule, if it considers
that the decision to refuse was flawed when considered in the light of
the principles applicable on an application for judicial review.
(6) Where the Review Committee allows review under sub-section (5) by or
in respect of an organisation, it may make an order under this
sub-section.
(7) Where an order is made under sub-section (6), the Central Government
shall as soon as the certified copy of the order is received by it, make
an order removing the organisation from the list in the Schedule.
20. (1) A person commits an offence if he belongs or professes to belong
to a terrorist organisation:
Provided that this sub-section shall not apply where the person charged
is able to prove-
(a) that the organisation was not declared as a terrorist organisation
at the time when he became a member or began to profess to be a member;
and
(b) that he has not taken part in the activities of the organisation at
any time during its inclusion in the Schedule as a terrorist
organisation.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on
conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or with
fine or with both.
21. (1) A person commits an offence if-
(a) he invites support for a terrorist organisation, and
(b) the support is not, or is not restricted to, the provision of money
or other property within the meaning of section 22.
(2) A person commits an offence if he arranges, manages or assists in
arranging or managing a meeting which he knows is –
(a) to support a terrorist organisation,
(b) to further the activities of a terrorist organisation, or
(c) to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to a
terrorist organisation.
(3) A person commits an offence if he addresses a meeting for the
purpose of encouraging support for a terrorist organisation or to
further its activities .
(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on
conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or with
fine or with both.
Explanation.- For the purposes for this section, the expression
“meeting” means a meeting of three or more persons whether or not the
public are admitted.
22. (1) A person commits an offence if he-
(a) invites another to provide money or other property, and
(b) intends that it should be used, or has reasonable cause to suspect
that it may be used, for the purposes of terrorism.
(2) A person commits an offence if he-
(a) receives money or other property, and
(b) intends that it should be used , or has reasonable cause to suspect
that it may be used, for the purposes of terrorism.
(3) A person commits an offence if he-
(a) provides money or other property, and
(b) knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that it will or may be used
for the purposes of terrorism.
(4) In this section, a reference to the provision of money or other
property is a reference to its being given, lent or otherwise made
available, whether or not for consideration.
(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on
conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years, or
with fine or with both.
CHAPTER IV
SPECIAL COURTS
23. (1) The Central Government or a State Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, constitute one or more Special
Courts for such area or areas, or for such case or class or group of
cases, as may be specified in the notification.
(2) Where a notification constituting a Special Court for any area or
areas or for any case or class or group of cases is issued by the
Central Government under sub-section (1), and a notification
constituting a Special Court for the same area or areas or for the same
case or class or group of cases has also been issued by the State
Government under that sub-section, the Special Court constituted by the
Central Government, whether the notification constituting such Court is
issued before or after the issue of the notification constituting the
Special Court by the State Government, shall have, and the Special Court
constituted by the State Government shall not have, jurisdiction to try
any offence committed in that area or areas or, as the case may be, the
case or class or group of cases and all cases pending before any Special
Court constituted by the State Government shall stand transferred to the
Special Court constituted by the Central Government.
(3) Where any question arises as to the jurisdiction of any Special
Court, it shall be referred to the Central Government whose decision in
the matter shall be final.
(4) A Special Court shall be presided over by a judge to be appointed by
the Central Government or, as the case may be, the State Government,
with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court.
(5) The Central Government or, as the case may be, the State Government
may also appoint, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High
Court, additional judges to exercise jurisdiction of a Special Court.
(6) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a judge or an
additional judge of a Special Court unless he is, immediately before
such appointment, a sessions judge or an additional sessions judge in
any State.
(7) For the removal of doubts, it is hereby provided that the
attainment, by a person appointed as a judge or an additional judge of a
Special Court, of the age of superannuation under the rules applicable
to him in the service to which he belongs, shall not affect his
continuance as such judge or additional judge.
(8) Where any additional judge or additional judges is or are appointed
in a Special Court, the judge of the Special Court may, from time to
time, by general or special order, in writing, provide for the
distribution of business of the Special Court among all judges including
himself and the additional judge or additional judges and also for the
disposal of urgent business in the event of his absence or the absence
of any additional judge.
24. A Special Court may, on its own motion, or on an application made by
the Public Prosecutor and if it considers it expedient or desirable so
to do, sit for any of its proceedings at any place, other than its
ordinary place of sitting:
Provided that nothing in this section shall be construed to change the
place of sitting of a Special Court constituted by a State Government to
any place outside that State.
25. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, every offence
punishable under any provision of this Ordinance shall be triable only
by the Special Court within whose local jurisdiction it was committed
or, as the case may be, by the Special Court constituted for trying such
offence under section 23.
(2) If, having regard to the exigencies of the situation prevailing in a
State,--
(i) it is not possible to have a fair, impartial or speedy trial; or
(ii) it is not feasible to have the trial without occasioning the breach
of peace or grave risk to the safety of the accused, the witnesses, the
Public Prosecutor and a judge of the Special Court or any of them; or
(iii) it is not otherwise in the interests of justice,
the Supreme Court may transfer any case pending before a Special Court
to any other Special Court within that State or in any other State and
the High Court may transfer any case pending before a Special Court
situated in that State to any other Special Court within the State.
(3) The Supreme Court or the High Court, as the case may be, may act
under this section either on the application of the Central Government
or a party interested and any such application shall be made by motion,
which shall, except when the applicant is the Attorney-General of India,
be supported by an affidavit or affirmation.
26. (1) When trying any offence, a Special Court may also try any other
offence with which the accused may, under the Code, be charged at the
same trial if the offence is connected with such other offence.
(2) If, in the course of any trial under this Ordinance of any offence,
it is found that the accused person has committed any other offence
under this Ordinance or under any other law, the Special Court may
convict such person of such other offence and pass any sentence or award
punishment authorized by this Ordinance or such rule or, as the case may
be, under such other law.
27. (1) When a police officer investigating a case requests the Court of
a Chief Judicial Magistrate or the Court of a Chief Metropolitan
Magistrate in writing for obtaining samples of hand writing, finger
prints, foot prints, photographs, blood, saliva, semen, hair, voice of
any accused person, reasonably suspected to be involved in the
commission of an offence under this Ordinance, it shall be lawful for
the Court of a Chief Judicial Magistrate or the Court of a Chief
Metropolitan Magistrate to direct that such samples be given by the
accused person to the police officer either through a medical
practitioner or otherwise, as the case may be.
(2) If any accused person refuses to give samples as provided in
sub-section (1), the court shall draw adverse inference against the
accused.
28. (1) For every Special Court, the Central Government or, as the case
may be, the State Government, shall appoint a person to be the Public
Prosecutor and may appoint one or more persons to be the Additional
Public Prosecutor or Additional Public Prosecutors:
Provided that the Central Government or, as the case may be, the State
Government, may also appoint for any case or class or group of cases, a
Special Public Prosecutor.
(2) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed as a Public
Prosecutor or an Additional Public Prosecutor or a Special Public
Prosecutor under this section unless he has been in practice as an
Advocate for not less than seven years or has held any post, for a
period of not less than seven years, under the Union or a State,
requiring special knowledge of law.
(3) Every person appointed as a Public Prosecutor or an Additional
Public Prosecutor or a Special Public Prosecutor under this section
shall be deemed to be a Public Prosecutor within the meaning of clause
(u) of section 2 of the Code, and the provisions of the Code shall have
effect accordingly.
29. (1) Subject to the provisions of section 49, a Special Court may
take cognizance of any offence, without the accused being committed to
it for trial, upon receiving a complaint of facts that constitute such
offence or upon a police report of such facts.
(2) Where an offence triable by a Special Court is punishable with
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or with fine or with
both, the Special Court may, notwithstanding anything contained in
sub-section (1) of section 260 or section 262 of the Code, try the
offence in a summary way in accordance with the procedure prescribed in
the Code and the provisions of sections 263 to 265 of the Code, shall so
far as may be, apply to such trial:
Provided that when, in the course of a summary trial under this
sub-section, it appears to the Special Court that the nature of the case
is such that it is undesirable to try it in a summary way, the Special
Court shall recall any witnesses who may have been examined and proceed
to re-hear the case in the manner provided by the provisions of the Code
for the trial of such offence and the said provisions shall apply to and
in relation to a Special Court as they apply to and in relation to a
Magistrate:
Provided further that in the case of any conviction in a summary trial
under this section, it shall be lawful for a Special Court to pass a
sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year and with fine
which may extend to rupees five lakh.
(3) Subject to the other provisions of this Ordinance, a Special Court
shall, for the purpose of trial of any offence, have all the powers of a
Court of Session and shall try such offence as if it were a Court of
Session so far as may be in accordance with the procedure prescribed in
the Code for the trial before a Court of Session.
(4) Subject to the other provisions of this Ordinance, every case
transferred to a Special Court under section 25 shall be dealt with as
if such case had been transferred under section 406 of the Code to such
Special Court.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, but subject to the
provisions of section 299 of the Code, a Special Court may, if it thinks
fit and for reasons to be recorded by it, proceed with the trial in the
absence of the accused or his pleader and record the evidence of any
witness, subject to the right of the accused to recall the witness for
cross-examination.
30. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, the proceedings
under this Ordinance may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, be held
in camera if the Special Court so desires.
(2) A Special Court, if on an application made by a witness in any
proceeding before it or by the Public Prosecutor in relation to such
witness or on its own motion, is satisfied that the life of such witness
is in danger, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, take such
measures as it deems fit for keeping the identity and address of such
witness secret.
(3) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the
provisions of sub-section (2), the measures which a Special Court may
take under that sub-section may include -
(a) the holding of the proceedings at a place to be decided by the
Special Court;
(b) the avoiding of the mention of the names and addresses of the
witnesses in its orders or judgments or in any records of the case
accessible to public;
(c) the issuing of any directions for securing that the identity and
address of the witnesses are not disclosed;
(d) a decision that it is in the public interest to order that all or
any of the proceedings pending before such a court shall not be
published in any manner.
(4) Any person who contravenes any decision or direction issued under
sub-section (3) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which
may extend to one year and with fine which may extend to one thousand
rupees.
31. The trial under this Ordinance of any offence by a Special Court
shall have precedence over the trial of any other case against the
accused in any other court (not being a Special Court) and shall be
concluded in preference to the trial of such other case and accordingly
the trial of such other case shall remain in abeyance.
32. (1) Notwithstanding anything in the Code or in the Indian Evidence
Act, 1872, but subject to the provisions of this section, a confession
made by a person before a police officer not lower in rank than a
Superintendent of Police and recorded by such police officer either in
writing or on any mechanical or electronic device like cassettes, tapes
or sound tracks from out of which sound or images can be reproduced,
shall be admissible in the trial of such person for an offence under
this Ordinance or rules made thereunder.
(2) A police officer shall, before recording any confession made by a
person under sub-section (1) explain to such person in writing that he
is not bound to make a confession and that if he does so, it may be used
against him:
Provided that where such person prefers to remain silent, the police
officer shall not compel or induce him to make any confession.
(3) The confession shall be recorded in an atmosphere free from threat
or inducement and shall be in the same language in which the person
makes it.
(4) The person from whom a confession has been recorded under
sub-section (1), shall be produced before the Court of a Chief
Metropolitan Magistrate or the Court of a Chief Judicial Magistrate
along with the original statement of confession, written or recorded on
mechanical or electronic device within forty-eight hours.
(5) The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate or the Chief Judicial Magistrate,
shall, record the statement, if any, made by the person so produced and
get his signature or thumb impression and if there is any complaint of
torture, such person shall be directed to be produced for medical
examination before a Medical Officer not lower in rank than an Assistant
Civil Surgeon and thereafter, he shall be sent to judicial custody.
33. Where, after taking cognizance of any offence, a Special Court is of
the opinion that the offence is not triable by it, it shall,
notwithstanding that it has no jurisdiction to try such offence,
transfer the case for the trial of such offence to any court having
jurisdiction under the Code and the court to which the case is
transferred may proceed with the trial of the offence as if it had taken
cognizance of the offence.
34. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, an appeal shall
lie from any judgment, sentence or order, not being an interlocutory
order, of a Special Court to the High Court both on facts and on law.
Explanation :- For the purposes of this section, “High Court” means a
High Court within whose jurisdiction, a Special Court which passed the
judgment, sentence or order, is situated.
(2) Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be heard by a bench of two
Judges of the High Court.
(3) Except as aforesaid, no appeal or revision shall lie to any court
from any judgment, sentence or order including an interlocutory order of
a Special Court.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3) of section 378
of the Code, an appeal shall lie to the High Court against an order of
the Special Court granting or refusing bail.
(5) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period
of thirty days from the date of the judgment, sentence or order appealed
from:
Provided that the High Court may entertain an appeal after the expiry of
the said period of thirty days if it is satisfied that the appellant had
sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the period of
thirty days.
CHAPTER V
INTERCEPTION OF COMMUNICATION IN CERTAIN CASES
35. In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "electronic communication" means any transmission of signs, signals,
writings, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted
in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic
or photo optical system that affects inland or foreign commerce but does
not include,-
(i) the radio portion of a cordless telephone communication that is
transmitted between the wireless telephone hand-set and the base unit;
(ii) any wire or oral communication;
(iii) any communication made through a tone only paging device; or
(iv) any communication from a tracking device;
(b) "intercept" means the aural or other acquisition of the contents by
wire, electronic or oral communication through the use of any
electronic, mechanical or other device;
(c) "oral communication" means any oral communication uttered by a
person exhibiting an expectation that such communication is not subject
to interception under circumstances justifying such expectation but such
term does not include any electronic communication;
(d) "wire communication" means any aural transmission made in whole or
part through the use of facilities for the transmission of
communications by the aid of wire, cable or other like connection
between the point of origin and the point of connection, between the
point of origin and the point of reception (including the use of such
connection in switching station) and such term includes any electronic
storage of such communication.
36. The Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be,
may appoint an officer not below the rank of Secretary to the Government
in case of State Government and not below the rank of Joint Secretary to
the Government in the case of Central Government, to be the Competent
Authority for the purposes of this Chapter.
37. (1). A police officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police
supervising the investigation of any terrorist act under this Ordinance
may submit an application in writing to the Competent Authority for an
order authorizing or approving the interception of wire, electronic or
oral communication by the investigating officer when he believes that
such interception may provide, or has provided evidence of any offence
involving a terrorist act.
(2) Each application shall include the following information:-
(a) the identity of the investigating officer making the application,
and the head of the department authorizing the application;
(b) a statement of the facts and circumstances relied upon by the
applicant to justify his belief that an order should be issued,
including-
(i) details as to the offence of terrorist act that has been, is being,
or is about to be committed;
(ii) a particular description of the nature and location of the
facilities from which or the place where the communication is to be
intercepted;
(iii) a particular description of the type of communications sought to
be intercepted; and
(iv) the identity of the person, if known, committing the terrorist act
whose communications are to be intercepted;
(c) a statement of the period of time for which the interception is
required to be maintained, if the nature of the enquiry is such that the
authorization of interception should not automatically terminate after
the described type of communication has been first obtained;
(d) a particular description of facts establishing probable cause to
believe that additional communications of the same type will occur
thereafter; and
(e) where the application is for the extension of an order, a statement
setting forth the results thus far obtained from the interception, or a
reasonable explanation of the failure to obtain such results.
(3) The Competent Authority may require the applicant to furnish
additional oral or documentary evidence in support of the application.
38. (1) Upon such application, the Competent Authority may reject the
application, or issue an order, as requested or as modified, authorizing
or approving interception of wire, electronic or oral communications, if
the Competent Authority determines on the basis of the facts submitted
by the applicant that-
(a) there is a probable cause for belief that an individual is
committing, has committed, or is about to commit a particular offence
described and made punishable under sections 3 and 6 of this Ordinance;
(b) there is a probable cause of belief that particular communications
concerning that offence may be obtained through such interception;
(c) there is probable cause of belief that the facilities from which, or
the place where, the wire, electronic or oral communications are to be
intercepted are being used or are about to be used, in connection with
the commission of such offence, leased to, or are listed in the name of
or commonly used by such person.
(2) Each order by the Competent Authority authorizing or approving the
interception of any wire, electronic or oral communication under this
section shall specify-
(a) the identity of the person, if known, whose communications are to be
intercepted;
(b) the nature and location of the communication facilities as to which,
or the place where, authority to intercept is granted;
(c) a particular description of the type of communication sought to be
intercepted, and a statement of the particular offence to which it
relates;
(d) the identity of the agency authorized to intercept the
communications, and the person authorizing the application; and
(e) the period of time during which such interception is authorized ,
including a statement as to whether or not the interception shall
automatically terminate after the described communication has been first
obtained.
39. (1) The Competent Authority shall immediately after passing the
order under sub-section (1) of section 38, but in any case not later
than seven days from the passing of the order, submit a copy of the same
to the Review Committee constituted under section 59 along with all the
relevant underlying papers, record and his own findings, in respect of
the said order, for consideration and approval of the order by the
Review Committee.
(2) An order authorizing the interception of a wire, electronic or oral
communication under this section shall, upon request of the applicant,
direct that a provider of wire or electronic communication service,
landlord, custodian or other person shall furnish to the applicant
forthwith all information, facilities, and technical assistance
necessary to accomplish the interception unobtrusively and with a
minimum of interference with the services that such service provider,
landlord, custodian, or person is providing to the person whose
communications are to be intercepted.
40. (1) No order issued under this section may authorize or approve the
interception of any wire, electronic or oral communication for any
period longer than is necessary to achieve the objective of the
authorization, nor in any event longer than sixty days and such sixty
days period shall begin on the day immediately preceding the day on
which the investigation officer first begins to conduct an interception
under the order or ten days after order is issued whichever is earlier.
(2) The extension of an order may be granted, but only upon an
application for an extension made in accordance with sub-section (1) of
section 37 and the Competent Authority making the findings required by
sub-section (1) of section 38, and the period of such extension shall be
no longer than the Competent Authority deems necessary to achieve the
purposes for which it was granted and in no event for longer than sixty
days at a time.
(3) Every order and extension thereof shall contain a provision that the
authorization to intercept shall be executed as soon as practicable and
shall be conducted in such manner as to minimize the interception of
communications not otherwise subject to interception under this section
and shall terminate upon attainment of the authorized objective, or in
any event on the expiry of the period of said order or extension
thereof.
41. (1) An interception under this Chapter may be conducted in whole or
in part by a public servant, acting under the supervision of the
investigating officer authorized to conduct the interception.
(2) Whenever an order authorizing an interception is issued pursuant to
this section, the order may require reports to be made to the Competent
Authority who issued the order showing that progress has been made
towards achievement of the authorized objective and the need for
continued interception and such report shall be made at such intervals
as the Competent Authority may require.
42. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of
this section, an officer not below the rank of Additional Director
General of Police or a police officer of equivalent rank who reasonably
determines that-
(a) an emergency situation exists that involves-
(i) immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person;
(ii) conspiratorial activities threatening the security or interest of
the State; or
(iii) conspiratorial activities, characteristic of a terrorist act, that
requires a wire, electronic or oral communication to be intercepted
before an order from the Competent Authority authorizing such
interception can, with due diligence, be obtained, and
(b) there are grounds on which an order should be issued under this
section to authorize such interception,
may authorize, in writing, the investigating officer to intercept such
wire, electronic or oral communication, if an application for an order
approving the interception is made in accordance with the provisions of
sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 37 within forty-eight hours after
the interception has occurred, or begins to occur.
(2) In the absence of an order approving the interception made under
sub-section (1), such interception shall immediately terminate when the
communication sought is obtained or when the application for the order
is rejected, whichever is earlier; and in the event of an application
for permitting interception being rejected under sub-section (1) of
section 38 or an application under sub-section (1) of section 42 for
approval being rejected, or in any other case where the interception is
terminated without an order having been issued, the contents of any
wire, electronic or oral communication intercepted shall be treated as
having been obtained in violation of this section.
43. (a) The contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication
intercepted by any means authorized by this section shall as far as
possible, be recorded on tape or wire or other comparable device and
shall be done in such manner as to protect the recording from editing or
other alterations.
(b) Immediately upon the expiration of the period of order, or extension
thereof, such recording shall be made available to the Competent
Authority issuing such order and shall be sealed under his directions
and kept in the custody of such person or authority as the Competent
Authority orders, and such recordings shall not be destroyed except upon
an order of the Competent Authority and in any event shall be kept for
ten years.
(c) Applications made and orders issued under this section shall be
sealed by the Competent Authority and custody of the applications and
orders shall be kept in such manner as the Competent Authority directs,
and shall not be destroyed except on an order of the Competent
Authority, and in any event shall be kept for ten years.
44. Notwithstanding anything in the Code or in any other law for the
time being in force, the evidence collected through the interception of
wire, electronic or oral communication under this Chapter shall be
admissible as evidence against the accused in the Court during the trial
of a case:
Provided that, the contents of any wire, electronic or oral
communication intercepted pursuant to this Chapter or evidence derived
therefrom shall not be received in evidence or otherwise disclosed in
any trial, hearing or other proceeding in any court unless each accused
has been furnished with a copy of the order of the Competent Authority,
and accompanying application, under which the interception was
authorized or approved not less than ten days before trial, hearing or
proceeding:
Provided further that, the period of ten days may be waived by the judge
trying the matter, if he comes to the conclusion that it was not
possible to furnish the accused with the above information ten days
before the trial, hearing or proceeding and that the accused will not be
prejudiced by the delay in receiving such information.
45. (1) The Review Committee constituted by the Central Government or
the State Government, as the case may be, shall review every order
passed by the Competent Authority under section 38.
(2) Every order passed by the Competent Authority under section 38, or
disapproved by the officer under section 42, shall be placed before the
Review Committee, which shall be considered by the Review Committee
within ten days after its receipt, to decide whether the order, was
necessary, reasonable and justified.
(3) The Review Committee, after examining the entire record and holding
such enquiry, if any, deemed necessary may, by order in writing, either
approve the order passed by the Competent Authority or may issue order
disapproving the same.
(4) On issue of an order of disapproval by the Review Committee, the
interception, if any, already commenced shall be forthwith discontinued
and the intercepted communication, if any, in the form of tape, wire or
other device shall, thereupon, not be admissible as evidence in any case
and shall be directed to be destroyed.
46. Except as otherwise specifically provided in section 38, any police
officer who-
(a) intentionally intercepts, endeavours to intercept, or procures any
other person to intercept or endeavour to intercept any wire, electronic
or oral communication;
(b) intentionally uses, endeavours to use, or procures any other person
to use or endeavours to use any electronic, mechanical or other device
to intercept any oral communication when-
(i) such device is affixed to, or otherwise transmits a signal through a
wire, cable, or other like connection used in wire communication; or
(ii) such device transmits communications by radio, or interferes with
the transmission of such communication;
(c) intentionally discloses, or endeavours to disclose, to any other
person the contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication,
knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained
through the interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication in
violation of this Chapter;
(d) intentionally uses, or endeavours to use, the contents of any wire,
electronic or oral communication, knowing or having reason to know that
the information was obtained through the interception of a wire,
electronic or oral communication in violation of this Chapter; or
(e) intentionally discloses, or endeavours to disclose, to any other
unauthorized person the contents of any wire, electronic or oral
communication, intercepted by means authorized by section 38;
(f) intentionally continues the interception of wire, electronic or oral
communication after the issue of an order of rejection by the Competent
Authority under this Chapter.
(g) intentionally continues the interception of wire, electronic or oral
communication after the issue of an order of disapproval by the Review
Committee under sub-section (3) of section 45,
shall for such violation be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to one year and with fine upto rupees fifty thousand.
47. (1) The Central Government and the State Government, as the case may
be, shall cause an annual report to be prepared giving a full account
of,-
(i) the number of applications for authorization of interceptions
received by the Competent Authority from the Police Department in which
prosecutions have been launched;
(ii) the number of such applications permitted or rejected;
(iii) the number of interceptions carried out in emergency situations
and the number of approvals granted or rejected in such matters;
(iv) the number of prosecutions launched based on such interceptions and
convictions resulting from such interceptions, along with an explanatory
memorandum giving general assessment of the utility and importance of
the interceptions authorized.
(2) An annual report shall be laid by the State Government before the
State Legislature within three months of the completion of every
calendar year:
Provided that, if the State Government is of the opinion that the
inclusion of any matter in the annual report would be prejudicial to the
security of the State or to the prevention or detection of any terrorist
act, the State Government may exclude such matter from being included in
such annual report.
(3) An annual report shall be laid by the Central Government before each
House of Parliament within three months of the completion of every
calendar year :
Provided that, if the Central Government is of the opinion that the
inclusion of any matter in the annual report would be prejudicial to the
security of the country or to the prevention or detection of any
terrorist act, the Central Government may exclude such matter from being
included in such annual report.
CHAPTER VI
MISCELLANEOUS
48. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code or any other law,
every offence punishable under this Ordinance shall be deemed to be a
cognizable offence within the meaning of clause (c) of section 2 of the
Code, and "cognizable case" as defined in that clause shall be construed
accordingly.
(2) Section 167 of the Code shall apply in relation to a case involving
an offence punishable under this Ordinance subject to the modification
that in sub-section (2),-
(a) the references to "fifteen days", "ninety days" and "sixty days",
wherever they occur, shall be construed as references to "thirty days",
"ninety days" and "ninety days", respectively; and
(b) after the proviso, the following provisos shall be inserted, namely
:--
"Provided further that if it is not possible to complete the
investigation within the said period of ninety days, the Special Court
shall extend the said period up to one hundred and eighty days, on the
report of the Public Prosecutor indicating the progress of the
investigation and the specific reasons for the detention of the accused
beyond the said period of ninety days:
Provided also that if the police officer making the investigation under
this Ordinance, requests, for the purposes of investigation, for police
custody from judicial custody of any person from judicial custody, he
shall file an affidavit stating the reasons for doing so and shall also
explain the delay, if any, for requesting such police custody.".
(3) Section 268 of the Code shall apply in relation to a case involving
an offence punishable under this Ordinance subject to the modification
that-
(a) the reference in sub-section (1) thereof-
(i) to "the State Government" shall be construed as a reference to "the
Central Government or the State Government",
(ii) to "order of the State Government" shall be construed as a
reference to "order of the Central Government or the State Government,
as the case may be"; and
(b) the reference in sub-section (2) thereof, to "State Government"
shall be construed as a reference to "Central Government or the State
Government, as the case may be".
(4) Sections 366, 367 and 371 of the Code shall apply in relation to a
case involving an offence triable by a Special Court subject to the
modification that the reference to "Court of Session", wherever
occurring therein, shall be construed as the reference to "Special
Court".
(5) Nothing in section 438 of the Code shall apply in relation to any
case involving the arrest of any person accused of having committed an
offence punishable under this Ordinance.
(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, no person accused of
an offence punishable under this Ordinance shall, if in custody, be
released on bail or on his own bond unless the Court gives the Public
Prosecutor an opportunity of being heard.
(7) Where the Public Prosecutor opposes the application of the accused
to release on bail, no person accused of an offence punishable under
this Ordinance or any rule made thereunder shall be released on bail
until the court is satisfied that there are grounds for believing that
he is not guilty of committing such offence:
Provided that after the expiry of a period of one year from the date of
detention of the accused for an offence under this Ordinance, the
provisions of sub-section (6) of this section shall apply.
(8) The restrictions on granting of bail specified in sub-sections (6)
and (7) are in addition to the restrictions under the Code or any other
law for the time being in force on granting of bail.
(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (6), (7) and (8),
no bail shall be granted to a person accused of an offence punishable
under this Ordinance, if he is not an Indian citizen and has entered the
country unauthorisedly or illegally except in very exceptional
circumstances and for reasons to be recorded in writing.
49. No Court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Ordinance
without the previous sanction of the Central Government or as the case
may be, the State Government.
50. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, no police officer, -
(a) in the case of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, not below the
rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police or a police officer of
equivalent rank;
(b) in the metropolitan areas of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad
and any other metropolitan area notified as such under sub-section (1)
of section 8 of the Code, not below the rank of an Assistant
Commissioner of Police;
(c) in any other case not relatable to clause (a) or clause (b), not
below the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police or a police officer
of an equivalent rank,
shall investigate any offence punishable under this Ordinance.
51. (1) Where a police officer arrests a person, he shall prepare a
custody memo of the person arrested.
(2) The person arrested shall be informed of his right to consult a
legal practitioner as soon as he is brought to the police station.
(3) Whenever any person is arrested, information of his arrest shall be
immediately communicated by the police officer to a family member or in
his absence to a relative of such person by telegram, telephone or by
any other means and this fact shall be recorded by the police officer
under the signature of the person arrested.
(4) The person arrested shall be permitted to meet the legal
practitioner representing him during the course of interrogation of the
accused person:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall entitle the legal
practitioner to remain present throughout the period of interrogation.
52. (1) In a prosecution for an offence under sub-section (1) of section
3, if it is proved –
(a) that the arms or explosives or any other substances specified in
section 4 were recovered from the possession of the accused and there is
reason to believe that such arms or explosives or other substances of a
similar nature, were used in the commission of such offence; or
(b) that the finger-prints of the accused were found at the site of the
offence or on anything including arms and vehicles used in connection
with the commission of such offence,
the Special Court shall draw adverse inference against the accused.
(2) In a prosecution for an offence under sub-section (3) of section 3,
if it is proved that the accused rendered any financial assistance to a
person, having knowledge that such person is accused of, or reasonably
suspected of, an offence under that section, the Special Court shall
draw adverse inference against the accused.
53. No civil court or other authority shall have or, be entitled to,
exercise any jurisdiction, powers or authority in relation to the
matters referred to in section 19 and section 39 of the Ordinance.
54. (1) Nothing in this Ordinance shall affect the jurisdiction
exercisable by, or the procedure applicable to, any court or other
authority under any law relating to the naval, military or air forces or
other armed forces of the Union.
(2) For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that for the
purposes of any such law as is referred to in sub-section (1), a Special
Court shall be deemed to be a court of ordinary criminal justice.
55. The provisions of this Ordinance shall have effect notwithstanding
anything inconsistent therewith contained in any enactment other than
this Ordinance or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any
enactment other than this Ordinance.
56. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the
Central Government or a State Government or any officer or authority of
the Central Government or State Government or any other authority on
whom powers have been conferred under this Ordinance, for anything which
is in good faith done or purported to be done in pursuance of this
Ordinance:
Provided further that no suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings
shall lie against any serving member or retired member of the armed
forces or other para-military forces in respect of any action taken or
purported to be taken by him in good faith, in the course of any
operation directed towards combating terrorism.
57. (1) Any police officer who exercises powers corruptly or
maliciously, knowing that there are no reasonable grounds for proceeding
under this Ordinance, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may
extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
(2) If the Special Court is of opinion that any person has been
corruptly or maliciously proceeded against under this Ordinance, the
court may award such compensation as it deems fit to the person, so
proceeded against and it shall be paid by the officer, person, authority
or Government, as may be specified in the order.
58. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time
being in force, the passport and the arms licence of a person, who is
charge sheeted for having committed any offence under this Ordinance,
shall be deemed to have been impounded for such period as the Special
Court may deem fit.
59. (1) The Central Government and each State Government shall, whenever
necessary, constitute one or more Review Committees for the purposes of
this Ordinance.
(2) Every such Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and such other
members not exceeding three and possessing such qualifications as may be
prescribed.
(3) A Chairperson of the Committee shall be a person who is, or who has
been, a Judge of a High Court, who shall be appointed by the Central
Government, or as the case may be, the State Government, so however,
that the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court shall be
obtained in the case of a sitting Judge:
Provided that in the case of a Union territory, the appointment of a
person who is a Judge of the High Court of a State shall be made as a
Chairperson with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the concerned
High Court.
60. The High Courts may, by notifications in the Official Gazette, make
such rules, if any, as they may deem necessary for carrying out the
provisions of this Ordinance relating to Special Courts within their
territories.
61. (1) Without prejudice to the powers of the High Courts to make rules
under section 60, the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this
Ordinance.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following
matters, namely: -
(a) regulating the conduct of persons in respect of areas the control of
which is considered necessary or expedient and the removal of such
persons from such areas;
(b) the entry into, and search of,-
(i) any vehicle, vessel or aircraft; or
(ii) any place, whatsoever,
reasonably suspected of being used for committing the offences referred
to in section 3 or section 4 or for manufacturing or storing anything
for the commission of any such offence;
(c) conferring powers upon,-
(i) the Central Government;
(ii) a State Government:
(iii) an Administrator of a Union territory under article 239 of the
Constitution;
(iv) an officer of the Central Government not lower in rank than that of
a Joint Secretary; or
(v) an officer of a State Government not lower in rank than that of a
District Magistrate,
to make general or special orders to prevent or deal with terrorist
acts;
(d) the arrest and trial of persons contravening any of the rules or any
order made thereunder;
(e) the punishment of any person who contravenes or attempts to
contravene or abets or attempts to abet the contravention of any rule or
order made thereunder with imprisonment for a term which may extend to
one year or fine or both.
(f) providing for the seizure and detention of any property in respect
of which such contravention, attempt or abetment as is referred to in
clause (e) has been committed and for the adjudication of such seizure
and detention, whether by any court or by any other authority.
(g) determination of the price of the forfeited property under
sub-section (2) of section 10;
(h) the procedure of making application under sub-section (3) of section
19;
(i) the qualifications of the members of the Review Committee under
sub-section (2) of section 59.
SCHEDULE
(see section 18)
TERRORIST ORGANISATIONS
1. BABBAR KHALSA INTERNATIONAL.
2. KHALISTAN COMMANDO FORCE.
3. KHALISTAN ZINDABAD FORCE.
4. INTERNATIONAL SIKH YOUTH FEDERATION.
5. LASHKAR-E-TAIBA/PASBAN-E-AHLE HADIS.
6. JAISH-E-MOHAMMED/TAHRIK-E-FURQAN.
7. HARKAT-UL-MUJAHIDEEN/HARKAR-UL-ANSAR/KARKAT UL-JEHAD-E-ISLAMI.
8. HIZB-UL-MUJAHIDEEN/HIZB-ULMUJAHIDEEN PIR PANJAL REGIMENT.
9. AL-UMAR-MUJAHIDEEN.
10. JAMMU AND KASHMIR ISLAMIC FRONT.
11. UNITED LEBERATION FRONT OF ASSAM(ULFA).
12. NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF BODOLAND(NDFB).
13. PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY(PLA).
14. UNITED NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT(UNLF).
15. PEOPLE’S REVOLUTIONARY PARTY OF KANGLEIPALK(PREPAK).
16. KANLEIPAK COMMUNIST PARTY(KCP).
17. KANGLEI YAOL KANBA LUP(KYKL)
18. MANIPUR PEOPLE’S LIBRATION FRONT (MPLF).
19. ALL TRIPURA TIGER FORCE.
20. NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT OF TRIPURA.
21. LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL EELAM(LTTE).
22. STUDENTS ISLAMIC MOVEMENT OF INDIA.
23. DEENDAR ANJUMAN.
President. |