Two Important Bills Passed By Maharashtra Government

H IGHLIGHTS

• Maharashtra government introduced two bills in relation with the prevention of violence and atrocities against women and children.

• The bill talks about death punishment for criminal of heinous crimes against Women and Children.

• The cabinet has decided that the winter session of the Legislative Assembly will be held in Nagpur instead of Mumbai this time to decide the purview of this bill.

BILLS

The "Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2020" has been drafted similarly with the lines of the "Andhra Pradesh Disha Act Criminal Law (AP Amendment) Act, 2019”.

• Once it is passed by the Maharashtra State legislature, it will be known as Shakti Act.

• The second bill, which is drafted is meant for the implementation of the Shakti legislation in the state, has been named as "Special Court and Machinery for Implementation of Maharashtra Criminal Law, 2020”.

• Both the draft bills will be tabled in the State Legislature during the winter session next week in Nagpur. When the State Legislature approves the two draft bills, the cabinet of Maharashtra will send it to the Centre for Presidential assent.

PUNISHMENTS PRESCRIBED IN THE BILL

According to the Shakti bill, criminals found guilty of crimes such as rape, child abuse and acid attack will be sentenced to imprisonment for at least 10 years.

• The time period of sentence may extend to the remainder of their natural lives or to death sentences if in case the act has characteristics of being heinous in nature, the draft said.

• The survivors of acid attack will also be given Rs 10 lakh for plastic surgery and facial reconstruction. The convicts will have to pay the amount as fine.

• The Shakti bills also propose bringing down the time frame for concluding an investigation into the crimes from previous time frame of two months to 15 working days and for completion of court trials to 30 working days from 60 days.

• The draft bills said that special police teams and separate judicial courts will be set up for inquiry and hearing for cases of crime against women and children.

• The bills have also defined crimes of new category which includes threatening and defaming through any channel of communication. It will attract up to two years jail or Rs 1 lakh fine.

• Mobile service providers if they do not cooperate in inquiries against such crimes will also face jail and penalty.

What do you think about the Shakti bill? Will it prove to be an essential instrument to fight injustice against women and children in Maharashtra? Should Central Government also think about implementing such laws? Comment down your views!!