UP PCS Mains-2024

Approach Give a concise introduction about organized crime. Highlight the causes and present stats of organized crime in Uttar Pradesh. Elaborate on how the government has been tackling the issue. Conclude by suggesting a way forward.

Introduction

Organised crime is defined as illegal activity that is directed by strong groups, pre-planned, and frequently performed on a large scale. Types of organized crimes are- Drug Trafficking, Cybercrime, Corruption, Terrorism, Money laundering, Robbery etc. The major source of income for committing these crimes is illegal funds which are produced by sale or supply of illegal goods and services like prostitution, drugs, gambling etc.

Body

Causes of the prevalence of Organized crimes:

• The existence of a public demand for illegal goods and services: For certain goods and services public is willing to pay prices much higher than what prices would have been if such services and goods were legally available.
• Poverty: Lack of access to money for fulfilling day-to-day needs often forces one to look for illegal sources to eradicate poverty. According to National Multidimensional Poverty Index 2021 released by the NITI Aayog 37.79 percent of the population of Uttar Pradesh is poor.
• Illiteracy: It has been observed that the areas or nations where literacy levels are low have a higher contribution to organized crimes. In Uttar Pradesh only 67.68 percent population is literate as per the census 2011.
• Black Money: This is a vicious cycle as accumulation of black money aids in conducting such crimes and by these crimes black money is generated.
• Nexus between Politics and Criminals: Corruption and Greed for power along with the support of political powers strengthens these criminals.

Present stats regarding organized crime in Uttar Pradesh:

• As compared to 2016, the incidents of dacoity have fallen by 80.31% while incidents of loot have recorded a plunge of 61.51% as on September 2022.
• Murder and arson have recorded a fall of 32.45% and 51.65% respectively.
• Under preventive action, the use of arms act increased by 47.15%, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by 91.90%, Gangster Act by 43.18%, National Security Act Uttar Pradesh (NSA) by 8.98% and Excise Act by 57.45%.
• Uttar Pradesh ranks first in the country in getting punishment for crimes against women.
• The state’s conviction rate of 59.1% is the highest among all the states, according to the National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB).

Initiatives of Government to curb the organized crimes:

• Anti Bhu Mafia Portal-IGRS: It is an integrated Grievances Redressal System implemented by Uttar Pradesh Government for all types of Complaints related to illegal encroachment.
• The Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTU): They are established by the state government as police stations for the entire district for registration and investigation of all cases relating to the crime of human trafficking which would be in addition to the other police stations in the district.
• The Uttar Pradesh Control of Organized Crime Act (UPCOCA): It proposes that the government can take over properties amassed through organized crime, with the court’s permission during investigation, Sharma said. If the suspect is convicted, the government will confiscate the property.

Conclusion

Even though the government is trying to curb the menace yet there are loopholes present which need to be addressed. For example, a state specific anti-gambling law must be made, the cases of organized crimes be dealt in speedy courts to avoid allowing the culprits use muscle and money power to dodge the case and there must be a strict check on the black money supply which is crucial for these illegal activities.