Rajasthan
Bill: Raj New Bill To Give More Teeth To Cops For Fighting Organised Crime | Jaipur News
JAIPUR: Rajasthan government’s new bill to control the menace of organised crime is aimed at keeping fledgling criminal gangs in check before they morph into syndicates. The Rajasthan Organised Crime Control (ROCC) Bill, akin to Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MACOCA), gives investigation agencies wide range of powers to tackle organised gangs.
The bill has included under its ambit people against whom more than one charge-sheet has been presented in the court in the last 10 years, and the court has taken cognisance of it.
Also, action could be taken against a person who, as a member of an organised crime gang, commits an offense which is punishable for a period of three years or more.
“The bill has a provision under which giving shelter to gang members can lead up to imprisonment. Similarly, acquiring properties from organized crime also has stringent penalties in the bill. These measures are in accordance with our experience in dealing with Anandpal Singh and Lawrence Bishnoi gangs,” said an official.
Police said facilitators of gangs often acts as small cogs that runs the entire criminal enterprise. “Once the bill becomes an act, it would allow cops to take early measures against gang that are still at a nascent stage,” the official added.
As per the bill the organized crime includes violence, intimidation, and coercion by a person, as a member of an organised gang for the purpose of obtaining an economic gain or any other benefit. Action will be taken against the gang of two or more persons by whom organized crime is committed.
Like MACOCA, the bill has provisions for the attachment of properties of the accused.
Similarly, action can also be initiated against public servants if they are found to be helping or supporting in the commission of any organised crime.
“One of the most important features of the bill is a separate provision that seeks to protect the identity of witnesses. We have seen in the past in Rajasthan how some gangs threaten witnesses to get away with crimes,” the official said.
Police said that several gangsters in the past have been able to operate freely due to continues influx of financial help from their supporters. “The bill also makes it clear that giving financial assistance to an offence of organised crime will also lead to serious legal ramifications,” added the official.
The bill has included under its ambit people against whom more than one charge-sheet has been presented in the court in the last 10 years, and the court has taken cognisance of it.
Also, action could be taken against a person who, as a member of an organised crime gang, commits an offense which is punishable for a period of three years or more.
“The bill has a provision under which giving shelter to gang members can lead up to imprisonment. Similarly, acquiring properties from organized crime also has stringent penalties in the bill. These measures are in accordance with our experience in dealing with Anandpal Singh and Lawrence Bishnoi gangs,” said an official.
Police said facilitators of gangs often acts as small cogs that runs the entire criminal enterprise. “Once the bill becomes an act, it would allow cops to take early measures against gang that are still at a nascent stage,” the official added.
As per the bill the organized crime includes violence, intimidation, and coercion by a person, as a member of an organised gang for the purpose of obtaining an economic gain or any other benefit. Action will be taken against the gang of two or more persons by whom organized crime is committed.
Like MACOCA, the bill has provisions for the attachment of properties of the accused.
Similarly, action can also be initiated against public servants if they are found to be helping or supporting in the commission of any organised crime.
“One of the most important features of the bill is a separate provision that seeks to protect the identity of witnesses. We have seen in the past in Rajasthan how some gangs threaten witnesses to get away with crimes,” the official said.
Police said that several gangsters in the past have been able to operate freely due to continues influx of financial help from their supporters. “The bill also makes it clear that giving financial assistance to an offence of organised crime will also lead to serious legal ramifications,” added the official.
