Bill on the lines of MCOCA tabled in Uttar Pradesh assembly
‘QUADRUPLE IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, WHAT WE’RE LIVING ISN’T REAL’
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday tabled the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Bill 2017 (UPCOCB) in the state assembly to control organised crime in the state, even as opposition parties expressed fears of misuse.
The government proposes to get the bill passed in the ongoing winter session of state legislature after a discussion on Thursday.
Major opposition parties have already made their intentions clear of opposing the bill.
In the statement of objects and reasons for introducing the bill, Adityanath said, “the existing legal framework i.e. the penal and procedural laws and the adjudicatory system have been found to be rather inadequate to curb the menace of organised crime. It has, therefore, been decided to enact a special law with stringent and deterrent provisions, including attachment of properties, remand process, controlled delivery procedure regarding crime control, special courts and special prosecutors for speedy trial and justice and modern investigation processes, to control the menace of organised crime.”
The UPCOCB provides for death sentence or life imprisonment with a penalty of up to Rs 25 lakh in cases where the criminal act has resulted in the death of a person. In other cases of organised crime, the act will be punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than seven years and may extend to life imprisonment with a fine of ~15 lakh. It also provides for life imprisonment or sentence up to seven years in cases of conspiracy, attempts to commit or advocate, abet or knowingly facilitate the commission of organised crime. It provides for enhanced punishment to those already convicted for offences. If anyone has been already punished with life imprisonment, he shall be punished for the second offence with death or imprisonment for life and fine.
The bill further provides for recording of statement of the accused in presence of his/her advocate or on video. It also provides for a list of members of organised crime syndicates to be maintained in police stations.
LUCKNOW: