The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s take on curbing menacing crime got the UPCOCA Bill passed. There was an impasse for the same because of opposition party creating a ruckus in house. However, this Tuesday, the UP Assembly passed Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Act (UPCOCA) 2017 bill. There was again a ruckus in the house staged by the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Samajwadi Party and the Congress. It even led to a walkout. This was second time the bill was passed in the house.
What is UPCOCA Bill 2017?
The UPCOCA is prepared on the line of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). It aims to take head on at organized crime. The act will make the administration deal strictly with those who instigate terror through violent means.
Strict punishment for using firearms or explosives for damaging life or property or anti-national activity, has been articled in the Bill.
Also covered in this bill is kidnapping, illegal mining, manufacturing and sale of illicit liquor, acquiring contracts on the basis of muscle power, organized exploitation of forest produce, trade in wildlife, fake medicines, grabbing of government and private properties, and extortion.
Furthermore, the Bill gives the Government the right to seize properties made through organized crime. However, the permission of the court is needed.
A special court will be set up for hearing cases under UPCOCA. A state- level organized crime control authority has been proposed to monitor gangs involved in organized crime.
The Act gives offenders death sentence or life imprisonment and a heavy fine. The minimum punishment in this bill is seven years of prison and fine of Rs 1.5 million.