Lucknow : The Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly on Friday passed the Code of Criminal Procedure (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Bill 2022, which prohibits anticipatory bail from being granted to rape suspects. While commenting on the amendment bill in the house, UP Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna stated that a provision has been made not to provide anticipatory release to persons convicted of POCSO Act violations and ‘durachaar’ (misconduct) with women.
He claims that denying anticipatory bail in sexual offences against minors and women reduces the likelihood of the accused deleting evidence. According to Khanna, the measure would also assist prevent the accused from intimidating or harassing the victim and other witnesses.
The legislature also enacted the Uttar Pradesh Public and Private Property Damage Recovery (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which increases the time limit for filing a claim from three months to three years. Khanna stated that the revised law gives a claims tribunal the authority to pay anyone murdered in rioting with 5 lakh rupees.
According to the bill’s terms, the compensation money would be collected from the guilty party.
Now, the victim or dependent of a person whose life is lost in a disturbance or riot can now file an appeal for compensation, Khanna said, adding that the claims tribunal would also have the authority to take suo moto cognizance of such situations with the modification in the bill.
The amended bill further states that the expense of police action in such circumstances is to be borne by the perpetrators.
The government has previously invoked the Uttar Pradesh Public and Private Property Damage Restitution Act, 2020 in order to establish a Claims Tribunal for such recovery. The method for determining who would be held accountable for losses incurred during a demonstration or strike has also been clarified in the amendment. Both legislation were passed by voice vote in the absence of the main opposition Samajwadi Party and its ally RLD, who had already boycotted the proceedings.
