New Delhi, Jul 14: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted the Centre four weeks to file its response to a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008, which governs the functioning of the country’s premier anti-terror investigation agency.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta allowed the request of the Centre, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who sought additional time to file a counter affidavit.
Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for the petitioner, informed the court that notice on the plea had been issued on April 21.
The bench directed the petitioner to file a rejoinder, if any, within two weeks after the Centre submits its reply and listed the matter for hearing after six weeks.
Earlier, on April 21, the apex court had sought responses from the Centre, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other respondents, observing that the issues raised in the petition were of vital importance.
The petition seeks to strike down the NIA Act, 2008, contending that it violates Article 14 of the Constitution and is beyond Parliament’s legislative competence, arguing that “police” is a subject under the State List.
It also challenges Section 6(5) of the Act, which empowers the Centre to direct the NIA to investigate scheduled offences suo motu if it believes such offences require investigation under the Act.
The NIA was established under the 2008 law following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to investigate terrorism-related offences across the country. (Agencies)
