The SC held that NIA has power to investigate non-scheduled offences if they are connected to a scheduled offence of NIA Act, 2008.
- NIA Act, 2008 specifies categories of scheduled offences that NIA can investigate.
- It includes Atomic Energy Act, 1962, Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982, SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act, 1993, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 etc.
About NIA
- It is a Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency set up under the NIA Act, 2008 in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
- Headquarters: New Delhi with 2 Zonal offices (Guwahati & Jammu).
- Mandate: Investigate offences affecting sovereignty, security & integrity of India, friendly relations with foreign States, etc. specified in Schedule to NIA Act, 2008.
Steps to Strengthen NIA
- NIA Amendment act, 2019: Enlarged its mandate to offences related human trafficking, manufacture/sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism etc.
- It also expanded its jurisdiction beyond India.
- Designated NIA as Nodal Agency at Central level for investigation of Terror Funding & Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN).
- National Terror Data Fusion & Analysis Centre (NTDFAC) has been established for enabling Big Data Analytics.