National Investigation Agency (NIA)

27.11.2023

National Investigation Agency (NIA) , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow 

Why in the news?

Recently, following Naxal related inputs in Bihar, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted simultaneous raids in Kaimur, Gaya and Aurangabad districts.

Important points:

• In the Naxalite funding case, different teams of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids in five districts of Bihar state.
• Five districts: Gaya, Aurangabad, Kaimur, Rohtas and Saran
• Three suspected Maoists were arrested during raids at different places in Naxal-affected Adhaura area of Kaimur.

About National Investigation Agency (NIA):

• It is a federal investigation agency established by the Government of India to counter terrorism in India.
• It acts as the central anti-terrorism law enforcement agency.
• The agency is empowered to deal with terror-related crimes in the states without special permission from the states.
• The National Investigation Agency was established after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, as the need for a central agency to counter terrorism was felt.
• It came into existence with the enactment of the National Investigation Agency Bill 2008, an act passed by the Parliament of India on 31 December 2008.
• It is headquartered in New Delhi and has regional offices located at various other locations in India.
• Its founding Director General was Radha Vinod Raju whose tenure ended on 31 January 2010. After this, this responsibility was taken over by Sharad Chandra Sinha.
• Presently the Director General of NIA is Dinkar Gupta.
• NIA was formed to investigate incidents of terrorist attacks, funding of terrorism and other terrorism related crimes, while CBI investigates corruption, economic crimes and serious and organized crimes except terrorism.

Objective:

• The main objective of the NIA is to counter terrorist activities in India.
• For this, NIA also ensures that various international conventions, resolutions, treaties and agreements of UN agencies and other international organizations which relate to countering terrorism are implemented in India.

It examines the following matters:

• Matters which affect the security, sovereignty and integrity of India in any way.
• Matters which affect the security of states.
• Matters affecting friendly relations with other Allied nations.
• Matters that pose a threat to India's nuclear and nuclear facilities.
• Cases which are directly or indirectly related to terrorist organizations or terrorist financing such as illegal activities of counterfeit currency, sale of illegal arms, human and drug trafficking etc.

Other Investigation Agencies in India:

Intelligence Bureau (IB):

• The Intelligence Bureau was formed in the year 1887 by executive order of the government.
• After this it was reorganized in 1947.
• IB is the oldest intelligence agency of the country, which comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• This agency also helps the Indian government in making foreign policy.

Enforcement Directorate (ED):

• The Enforcement Directorate was formed on May 1, 1956.
• It takes action against economic crimes in India and plays an important role in thorough investigation of corruption related cases.
• Along with this, it also works to enforce economic laws in the country.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):

• The Central Bureau of Investigation was formed on April 1, 1963.
• It is one of the important central investigation agencies of India.
• Along with matters related to national security, this agency also investigates many complex and urgent matters.
• Training is given to its members through many different departments.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW):

• It was formed in 1968, which was then named Foreign Intelligence.
• It is counted among the best security and intelligence agencies in the world.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):

• NCB was formed in 1986.
• The function of NCB is to deal with cases related to illegal drug trafficking.
• To prevent drug smuggling and its abuse in India, this agency runs several major operations in coordination with BSF Punjab Border.

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA):

• The Defense Intelligence Agency was formed in 2002.
• It collects defense related intelligence in the country and abroad and alerts the country's defense system.
• Directorate of Signals Intelligence, Defense Image Processing and Analysis Center and Defense Information Warfare work under this agency.

National Technical Research Organization (NTRO):

• The National Technical Research Organization was formed in 2004.
• Its main function is to coordinate to collect intelligence from other countries and then provide all the necessary information to the country.
• In 2014, a Pakistani plane was blown up in a major operation based on the intelligence provided by this agency to the ICG.