The officers of and above the rank of inspectors in the National Investigation Agency are given powers of an officer-in-charge of any police station for any kind of investigation with respect to offenses under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985. The notification was published in the Official Gazette on 22nd September, Tuesday.
As per the NDPS Act under section 53 sub-section (1), the Central Government has powers to invest the officers of a certain department with the same power as the officer-in-charge of a police station. The central government along with the consultation of state governments has invested this power to the NIA officers of and above of inspector rank.
The notification states, “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 53 of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 (61 of 1985), the Central Government after consultation with the state governments, hereby invest the officers of and above the rank of inspectors in the National Investigation Agency constituted under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008) to exercises the powers and perform duties specified in sub-section (1) of that section within the area of their jurisdiction.”
Hence, the NIA officers of and above inspector rank will be eligible to conduct an investigation with regard to offenses under the NDPS Act just as the officer-in-charge of a police station.
