Rajasthan Control of Organized Crime Bill-2023 passed by voice vote

• 19 Jul 2023

Why in News?

On July 18, 2023, after discussion on the Rajasthan Control of Organized Crime Bill-2023 in the Rajasthan Assembly, the House passed the bill by voice vote.

Key Points:

• This bill has been brought to curb organized crime and to empower the police in the state. The provisions of this Act will prove to be effective in controlling organized crime in the state.
• The Bill provides for the confiscation of assets acquired by offenders, the setting up of special courts and appointment of special public prosecutors for speedy disposal of cases. It also provides for non-bail and anticipatory bail for offenders.
• Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal said that a study of crime trends in the state has revealed that the pattern of crime in the state has changed in the last decade. Criminal gangs have established organized networks with shooters, informers, intelligence informers and arms suppliers.
• These organized gangs are mainly involved in serious crimes like contract killing, threatening businessmen and demanding ransom, and drug trafficking. These gangs also get released from custody for committing offences by taking advantage of the corrective and rehabilitative aspects of law and procedure. For some time now, these criminals have created a scary image in the public. Therefore, this Bill will fulfill the stringent law required to deal effectively with these criminals.
• Under Section 28 of the Act, the High Court has been empowered to make rules in respect of Special Courts. At the same time, under Section 29, the State Government can make rules to implement the purposes of the Act.
• Under Section 5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the state government can make laws of special procedure, under which this bill has been brought. Rajasthan is the 4th state in the country to enact such a law. In the past, similar laws have been implemented in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat.
• Before this, the proposal to circulate the bill to know public opinion was rejected by the House by voice vote.