Bahubalis express concern over misuse of UPCOCB

LUCKNOW: Known for their muscle power in politics, the ‘bahubalis’ on Thursday expressed concern on the floor of the assembly that the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crimes Bill (UPCOCB) might be used to target them.

Independent MLA from Kunda assembly seat Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, independent MLA from Nautanwa assembly seat Amanmani Tripathi and NISHAD Party MLA from Gyanpur seat Vijay Mishra said the sections of UPCOCB gave enormous power to the police and the state government should bring in amendments before passing it in the House.

Terming the UPCOCB as “draconian”, Raja Bhaiya said people charged under the Act could not challenge it in the court.

“A few years ago, the state government had slapped POTA on me and my father. In view of the misuse of the POTA, Parliament withdrew it. If the central government really thought that the law and order situation was so bad, the NDA government would have brought law on the lines of POTA as well. But it didn’t,” he said.

Singh said MCOCA had failed to check organised crime in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.

“Security of the people is the responsibility of the state government. There are enough provisions in the IPC and CrPC to control crime,” he said.

Demanding secret voting, Raja Bhaiya said even the MLAs of the ruling party were aware of its adverse effect and would oppose the bill.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s assurance that the bill would not be misused failed to reduce the anxiety of the ‘bahubalis’.

Independent MLA from Nautanwa Amanmani Tripathi, who is accused in the murder case of his wife, said if the state government had used Goonda Act and

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A few years ago, the state government had slapped POTA on me and my father. In view of the misuse of the POTA, Parliament withdrew it. RAGHURAJ PRATAP SINGH, Independent MP from Kunda

Gangster Act properly there would have been no need to bring UPCOCB.

“Criminals have no religion and caste. A gangster turned politician belonging to my caste had threatened me with dire consequences. I have urged the state government to provide security,” he said.

Gangster turned politician Vijay Mishra, who contested the assembly election on NISHAD Party ticket from his stronghold Gyanpur in Bhadohi district, said the bill gave a lot of power to station house officer.

“If the police officers are caught misusing the Act to settle scores then the law should be slapped on them. I support the bill tabled by chief minister,” he said.

“I was charged with the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party leader Rajesh Yadav in October but the state government did not act in a prejudiced manner and ordered probe that cleared my name,” he said.

Gangster turned politician and BSP MLA from Mau assembly seat Mukhtar Ansari was conspicuous by his absence during the debate on the bill. The state government has shifted him to Banda jail.