MHA Declares Canada-Based Lakhbir Singh Landa As A Terrorist Under UAPA

Lakhbir Singh Landa has been designated an "individual terrorist" by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He is a Canada-based criminal and head of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated that Landa was affiliated with pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. The move comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had accused India of participation in the death of prominent Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

Who is Lakhbir Singh Landa?

• Lakhbir Singh Landa, a Canadian criminal, has been labelled a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs. 
• The 34-year-old is a member of the Khalistani group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). 
• He is the son of Niranjan Singh and Parminder Kaur, originally from VPO Harike in the Tarn Taran area of Punjab.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)

• The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was passed in India in 1967 to prohibit unlawful activity groups effectively. 
• Any action an individual or group performs to compromise India's territorial integrity and sovereignty is defined as unlawful activity. 
• The Act gives the central government absolute power and if the Centre believes an activity is illegal, it may declare it so in the Official Gazette.
• The most severe punishments are the death penalty and life imprisonment.
• Both Indian and international nationals can be charged under UAPA.

Individuals as ‘Terrorist’ under the UAPA Act 

The Central Government amended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in August 2019 to include the ability to designate someone as a terrorist.

• Previously, only organizations could be labelled as terrorist organizations.
• Through a notification in the official gazette, the central government may designate an individual as a terrorist and add his name to the schedule supplemented by the UAPA Act.
• The government is only compelled to allow an individual to be heard after making such a designation. 
• Under the UAPA, the central government can take a name off the schedule when a person applies.
• If the government rejects an application filed by a terrorist, the UAPA grants him the right to request a review within one month of the application's rejection.