{BILL TO REPLACE CRPC} Panel may propose no handcuff's in fin crimes

PANEL IS LIKELY TO RECOMMEND THAT THE GOVT AMEND A CONTROVERSIAL CLAUSE RELATED TO THE POWERS OF DETENTION BY THE POLICE

- Neeraj Chauhan

The parliamentary standing committee on home affairs is likely to suggest that economic offenders not be handcuffed while being taken into custody as part of its recommendations into the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita that seeks to replace the British-era Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), people aware of developments said on Tuesday.

The panel — headed by Bharatiya Janata Party member Brij Lal — is also likely to recommend that the government amend a controversial clause related to the powers of detention by police, and establish a clear framework, said the people cited above.

The BNSS was part of three bills – the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 being the other two – introduced by Union home minister Amit Shah on the final day of the monsoon session in the Lok Sabha.

Together, they seek to replace British-era IPC, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act respectively in an overhaul that the government says will transform India’s criminal justice system.

The draft codes were prepared after a panel of experts, also known as Committee for Reforms in Criminal Laws, appointed by the home ministry, worked on the changes in the criminal laws starting 2020 and gave detailed recommendations to the government.

The home ministry also consulted states and other experts regarding the changes.