By IANS
Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati formally initiated enactment of a new anti-crime law Wednesday with the stated aim of ridding the state of “organised crime” that has seriously impeded its overall growth,
Shortly after tabling the UP Control of Organised Crime Bill (UPCOCA) at the state assembly, Mayawati told a press conference that a special law was required for “curbing, controlling and trampling organised crime in the state”.
She termed the proposed law as a fulfilment of her commitment to bringing an end to prevailing “rule of the jungle” in the country’s most populous state.
The chief minister said: “The new law is aimed at pinning down contract killers, kidnappers, economic offenders including hawala traders, producers of spurious drugs, illicit liquor, drug smugglers and even gun-toting contractors.” The proposed enactment also curbs display of arms at public places.
Similar special laws were in force in half a dozen other Indian states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi.
“The proposed Act would curb the tendency among people to make a loud display of weapons with the intent of intimidating others,” Mayawati said.
Referring to the misuse of state security services by outlaws, she said: “Government security to persons with criminal antecedents would be history once the new law comes into force.”
According to the chief minister, “the new law would also be able to curb grabbing of government contracts through use of force and pressure by organised crime gang-lords.”
She said: “If any contractor approaching a particular government organisation for submitting his tender is found to be accompanied by gun-toting supporters, he will be liable to be prosecuted under the new law.”
The bill proposes setting up of a state level organised crime control authority under the chairmanship of the principal home secretary, with powers to cancel contracts grabbed by force.
The proposed law will also bring much-needed respite to the old and the infirm whose property was often grabbed by force or through fraudulent means.
The law will help get a grip over criminals fleeing the country after committing a crime.
Unlike existing laws where penalties are mild and easily affordable, heavy fines have been proposed under the new law. “Besides a minimum fine of Rs.500,000 together with life imprisonment, even capital punishment has been proposed along with a fine of Rs.1 million against hardened habitual offenders,” the chief minister pointed out.
A provision has been made for hearing all UPCOCA cases by a special court on a day-to-day basis.
However, in order to prevent misuse of the law, prior permission of the divisional commissioner and deputy inspector general of police has been made mandatory. The police will lodge a report under the proposed act only after receiving permission.
A state-level tribunal to be headed by a retired high court judge will hear appeals against invocation of the act. The three-member tribunal will include a director general of police and an officer of the rank of principal secretary to the state government.