Vidhi Codex

The Prevention of Terrorism (Repeal) Act, 2004

The Prevention of Terrorism (Repeal) Act, 2004

General20043 sections

The Prevention of Terrorism (Repeal) Act, 2004 officially abolished India’s controversial 2002 anti-terror law, POTA. This legislation applies to individuals previously charged, investigated, or detained under POTA. While the Act allows legacy prosecutions and penalties to continue, it sets a strict one-year limit for courts to take legal charge of new cases under the old law. Crucially, it mandates a review committee to evaluate all pending POTA cases within one year; if no prima facie case exists, charges must be dropped. This matters because it balanced national security interests with civil liberties by dismantling a widely criticized and abused law.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 1. Short title and commencement.
  2. 2. Repeal of Act 15 of 2002 and saving.
  3. 3. Repeal and saving.

PDF: pending for this language.