The Centre has been sitting on amendments of several Acts and the Indian Penal Code proposed by the state government. Amendments by the state to the IPC regarding acid attacks, re-enactment of AP Control of Organised Crime Act (APCOCA), attachment of properties, sexual offences sections are yet to be approved by the Centre.
When the issue was taken up at the DGP’s conference held in New Delhi recently, it was decided that a working group be set up to discuss the amendments to the enactments. A police official said, “The key amendments regarding acid attacks, attachment of properties in economic offences cases, re-enacting APCOCA are pending with the Centre. At the conference, it was decided to set up a working group to hold discussions.”
Organised Crime Act deals with gangs, extortionists, terror groups, smugglers, drug racketeers, kidnappers and money laundering. As the Act is misused, the Centre is being cautious in giving it the green signal. After several acid attacks in the state, the government mooted proposals for amendments of the Act seeking increased punishment as well as assistance to the victim. Similar proposals made by the ministry of women and child welfare department are also pending with the Centre. It was proposed to include a new section 326A for injury by acid attack and section 336B for attempt to throw acid. It was also suggested that punishment for acid attack be enhanced to ten years.
“With regard to economic offences, we have asked for amendment to attach properties in any case. We have strict laws in the case of the Depositors Act. In other cases, we have to depend on the CrPC procedures which are complicated,” a CID official said.