Redrawing list: 44 state and central nodal officers named to monitor UAPA cases

New Delhi: To monitor financial transactions of individuals and entities booked under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the Union home ministry has redrawn a list of 44 state and central nodal officers, an official said. Under section 51 A of UAPA, powers of the central government are delegated to state, immigration and regulatory authorities to freeze, seize or attach funds or economic resources under the anti-terror laws.

Among the regulatory authorities— RBI, Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDA), Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)—are asked to nominate UAPA nodal officers, the official added. The regulators provide a list of designated individuals and entities to banks, stock exchanges and insurance companies for blocking funds, financial assets of those designated under UAPA.

After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the anti-terror law was amended to insert section 51 A with a view to empower states and regulatory authorities to seize, freeze assets of individual and entities engaged in terrorism. The Ministry of External Affairs provides a list of individuals and entities subject to UN sanction that are further shared by MHA with state and UTs, according to the official.