J-K Guv favours including state Ranbir Penal Code under NIA Act

NEW DELHI: In a statement that could create a flutter in Jammu and Kashmir politics, state Governor N N Vohra today favoured including Ranbir Penal Code(RPC) under the purview of NIA Act so that the central probe agency has sweeping powers to take over any case in the country.

In his address at the 7th foundation day of the NIA, Vohra said the Union Home Ministry should take urgent steps to ensure that NIA's legal framework is suitably modified to enable effective investigations in terror cases.

"The existing Schedule to the NIA Act also requires to be reviewed for enlarging the list of offences to particularly cover those under the Ranbir Penal Code, Arms Act, NDPS Act, Explosive Substances Act and Cyber Terrorism offences, among others," he said.

Inclusion of Ranbir Penal Code, which is a substitute of Indian Penal Code in Jammu and Kashmir, means that National Investigation Agency (NIA) can take over any case registered under anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Under the NIA Act, which came into force after the 2008 Mumbai attack, the agency can take over any case related to terror suo-moto except for Jammu and Kashmir where it requires permission of the state government before taking up the investigation.

Both the ruling PDP and opposition National Conference in J and K have been opposing giving sweeping powers to NIA to take suo motu cognisance of terror-related cases in the state, which is at present under Governor's rule.