In a landmark achievement, the NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (NIA) recorded a 100% conviction rate in 2024, securing convictions of 68 accused across 25 cases, as per an official press release issued on the last day of the year. This unparalleled milestone underscores the agency’s relentless efforts to safeguard national security and deliver justice through rigorous investigation and robust legal strategies.
“The successful investigation of several important/high-profile cases and a strong focus on tackling left-wing extremism (lwe) marked a year of many highs for the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which delivered a record 100 percent conviction rate for 2024,” the NIA stated.
MAJOR SUCCESSES IN ARMS SEIZURES AND ANTI-TERROR CRACKDOWNS
The NIA highlighted a significant uptick in arms recovery operations throughout the country, including major seizures in Jammu, Jaipur, Ranchi, Patna, and Chandigarh.
“Arms seizure emerged as a key milestone against attempts by anti-national forces to unleash violence in the country,” the press release added.
KEY STATISTICS FROM 2024
Cases Registered: 80
Arrests Made: 210
Convictions Secured: 68 in 25 cases
Chargesheets Filed: 408
Properties Attached: 137 (worth ₹19.57 crore)
TOP CATEGORIES OF CRIME INVESTIGATED
Left-wing extremism (lwe): 28 cases, 69 arrests, 12 charge sheets
Northeast insurgency: 18 cases, 15 arrests
Jammu & Kashmir jihadi cases: 7 cases
Explosive substances: 6 cases
Human trafficking: 5 cases
Others: including cyber terrorism, gangsters, khalistani, and isis-related cases
MAJOR INVESTIGATIONS AND CONVICTIONS
The agency cracked down heavily on terror groups, securing convictions and making key arrests:
KHALISTANI NETWORK
- 14 arrests
- 101 searches
Chargesheet filed against Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Wadhawa Singh alias Babbar and five others in connection with the murder of VHP leader Vikas Bagga
Khalistan Terrorist Force (KTF) members Manpreet Singh alias Peeta and Mandeep Singh were charge sheet after deportation from the Philippines
ISIS AND OTHER JIHADIST ELEMENTS
11 ISIS operatives arrested
5 J&K Jihadis and 24 other Jihadis detained
SIGNIFICANT ARMS SEIZURE IN JAMMU
“The notable among these was the seizure, in Jammu, of arms/ammunition and other incriminating materials from a car driver working as an overground worker (OGW) of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant outfit. As many as 2 hand grenades, 34, 9 mm pistol rounds, 1 Chinese pistol, 1 Turkish pistol, 20 Chinese pistol rounds, and 1 pistol silencer were recovered in this case,” the release noted.
HIGH-PROFILE CONVICTION
Kulwinderjeet Singh alias Khanpuria, a key conspirator in multiple terror plots, was convicted for his role in a grenade attack at Delhi’s Red Fort
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING AND CAPACITY BUILDING
To keep up with the increasing complexity of terror-related investigations, the NIA took several proactive measures in 2024:
ESTABLISHMENT OF TWO NEW NIA COURTS: LOCATED IN JAMMU AND RANCHI
TRAINING INITIATIVES
“NIA coordinated closely with them throughout the year… As part of its efforts to enhance the capacity of the state police forces, NIA also engaged in their capacity building, providing training to 1,678 state police officials through 11 training programs/courses in 2024.”
Release of UA(P)A Investigation Handbook: Aimed at standardizing procedures in terror-related probes
CONTRASTS WITH OTHER AGENCIES
While the NIA earned praise for its performance, other central agencies faced criticism from the judiciary over poor conviction rates.
In a hearing regarding former West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee’s bail plea in the alleged cash-for-jobs scam, Justice Bhuyan remarked:
“What is your conviction rate? If it is 60-70 percent, we can understand your opposition. It is very poor.”
In response, ASG S.V. Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), said the agency had a “strong prima facie case” against Chatterjee.
However, Justice Kant added:
“Mr. Raju, these are all speculative things. You may be ultimately right. But we can’t say yes; we can’t say no. This will depend upon the nature of evidence and its appreciation by the Trial Court.”
Similarly, the Supreme Court in October 2024 criticized the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a low conviction rate:
“The conviction rate in CBI cases is very low,” the Court said while granting bail to Amandeep Singh Dhall in the Delhi excise policy case, adding that “this emboldens white-collar criminals.”
CONCLUSION
The NIA’s stellar 100% conviction rate in 2024 is not just a record-setting achievement but a reflection of its precision, professionalism, and dedication to national integrity. At a time when judicial scrutiny of other agencies is intensifying, NIA’s performance shines as a model for effective investigative and prosecutorial work in India.
