The Hindu : Front Page : Mayawati decides to go after organised crime in UP

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Thursday, Nov 01, 2007
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Mayawati decides to go after organised crime in UP

Special Correspondent

New measure proposes death sentence, life term and stiff fines for criminals

Photo: Subir Roy

Chief Minister Mayawati addressing a press conference in Lucknow on Wednesday.

LUCKNOW: In a first direct assault on organised crime syndicates in Uttar Pradesh, the Mayawati Government introduced a new Bill in the State Assembly on Wednesday with far-reaching implications.

Tabling the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Bill, 2007, the Chief Minister said organised crime had struck deep roots in the State and it was felt that an effective legislative measure was needed to crush the syndicates and mafia. The Bill, when passed, would be known as the UP Control of Organised Crime Act (UPCOCA).

Ms. Mayawati said the proposed Act would deal with land mafia, contract killers, extortionists, kidnappers, gun-toting henchmen of contractors and mafiosi, hawala traders, those indulging in money laundering, producers of spurious drugs and illicit liquor, drug peddlers and plain mafia. Besides, those displaying firearms at public places would be booked under the Act.

The proposed law envisages stringent punishment for organised crime in the form of death sentence, life imprisonment and a fine of Rs.10 lakh. Sub-section (a) of Section 4 (1) of the UP Control of Organised Crime Bill, 2007, states that “if such an act has resulted in the death of any person, it will be punishable with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to a minimum fine of Rs.10 lakh”.

The Chief Minister told a press conference later in the day that prior to the formation of her government many cases of provision of police security to criminals had come to light. After the new Act is enforced, provision of police security to such criminals would be deemed unlawful, said Ms. Mayawati, adding that under the proposed legislation licences of members of any group moving around with three or more licensed weapons would be cancelled.

The new measure would prohibit police security along with private security.

To ensure a complete check on wrongful allotment of contracts to organised criminals and deter them from grabbing contracts under the shadow of the gun, submission of character certificates has been made mandatory for all contactors.

Arrangements for e-tendering have also been made to deter the contractors from floating tenders on behalf of the mafiosi.

Provision has also been made for District Organised Crime Control Committees.

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