Amit Shah launches two databases hosted by NIA

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched two databases hosted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on December 26.

These two databases are:

i) The Organised Crime Network Database

ii) The Weapons Database for Lost/Looted and Recovered Arms.

• The databases are meant to be used by law enforcement agencies across the country.  

• Shah launched the databases during the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025, organised by the NIA.

• The minister said the database of terrorists and criminals should be made a core asset of the zero-terror policy.

• The updated crime manual prepared by the NIA was also released. 

• Shah requested all Director Generals of Police from the states to form a team in their respective states and ensure that they study this manual for investigation and prosecution purposes. 

National Investigation Agency (NIA)

• The NIA was set up in 2009 in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that had claimed 166 lives. 

• The NIA was constituted under the NIA Act of 2008 as a special agency for investigation and prosecution of offences specified in the Schedule of NIA Act. 

• NIA is the premier investigation agency at the central level to investigate terrorism related cases including terrorism financing cases.

• It aims to set the standards of excellence in counter terrorism and other national security related investigations at the national level by developing into a highly trained, partnership oriented workforce.

• The NIA, with its headquarters in New Delhi, has two zonal offices in Guwahati and Jammu and 21 branch offices across the country.

• The NIA Act was amended in 2019 to enlarge the mandate of the NIA by inclusion of offences related to human trafficking, manufacture/sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism and offences under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and expanded its jurisdiction beyond India.

• Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 was amended in 2019 to empower Director General (DG), NIA to seize/attach the properties related to proceeds of terrorism in cases being investigated by the NIA.

Objectives of NIA:

• In-depth professional investigation of scheduled offences using the latest scientific methods of investigation and setting up such standards as to ensure that all cases entrusted to the NIA are detected.

• Ensuring effective and speedy trial.

• Developing into a thoroughly professional, result-oriented organisation, upholding the constitution of India and laws of the land giving prime importance to the protection of human rights and dignity of the individual.

• Developing a professional workforce through regular training and exposure to the best practices and procedures.

• Displaying scientific temper and progressive spirit while discharging the duties assigned.

• Inducting modern methods and the latest technologies in every sphere of activities of the agency.

• Assist all states and other investigating agencies in probing terrorist cases.

• Build a database on all terrorist-related information and share the database available with the states and other agencies.

• Study and analyse laws related to terrorism in other countries and regularly evaluate the adequacy of existing laws in India and propose changes as and when necessary.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)