1. The new legal framework on terrorism may incorporate provisions regarding the freezing of assets, funds, bank accounts, deposits, cash, etc., when there is reasonable suspicion of their intended use in terrorist activities. The investigating officer may undertake such actions with the prior approval of a designated authority, subject to adequate safeguards. These provisions may be incorporated in a separate chapter in the National Security Act, 1980.
  2. A specialised cell may be created in the proposed National Counterterrorism Centre drawing upon expertise from the Union Ministries of Finance and Home Affairs and the Cabinet Secretariat for taking concerted action on the financial leads provided from information gathered by various sources. Further, different investigation agencies dealing with financial transactions may set up anti-terrorist finance cells within their organizations to augment the efforts of intelligence agencies involved in counter-terrorism activities.
  3. For a speedy investigation into the financial aspects of specific cases/groups of cases related to terrorist activities, dedicated teams may be formed within the agencies charged with investigating offenses related to terrorism. This may be accomplished by inducting officers specializing in different aspects of financial investigation for short periods, say three to six months. A protocol for achieving this may be arrived at between the concerned Union and State Ministries/ Departments to facilitate such capacity building and strengthen the effectiveness of the counter-terrorism measures
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