Terror Financing Networks — Legal Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
PMLA Amendment Act, 2012	2012	Expanded the definition of 'reporting entity' to include a wider range of financial intermediaries and professionals, enhancing the scope of suspicious transaction reporting. It also clarified the definition of 'proceeds of crime' and strengthened provisions for attachment and confiscation of property.	Significantly broadened the net for detecting and preventing money laundering and terror financing by bringing more entities under regulatory oversight and strengthening asset recovery mechanisms.
UAPA Amendment Act, 2012	2012	Introduced specific provisions for the forfeiture of proceeds of terrorism (Sections 24A to 24F) and enhanced the powers of designated authorities to investigate and attach properties linked to terrorism, including terror financing.	Provided more teeth to the government in seizing assets derived from or used for terrorist activities, directly impacting the financial capabilities of terror groups.
PMLA Amendment Act, 2019	2019	Empowered the ED to conduct searches and seizures without a prior FIR, based on 'information in possession'. It also expanded the definition of 'reporting entity' further and clarified the powers of the Director, FIU-India.	Streamlined investigative processes, allowing for quicker action against suspected money laundering and terror financing, though it also raised concerns about potential misuse of powers.
UAPA Amendment Act, 2019	2019	Enabled the central government to designate individuals as terrorists, not just organizations. It also empowered the NIA to investigate terror cases across states without prior permission from state governments and allowed for the attachment of property by NIA with the approval of the Director General of NIA.	Strengthened NIA's investigative powers and allowed for direct targeting of individuals involved in terror financing, making it harder for them to operate under different organizational banners.