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Enhancing Security : Maharashtra’s New Security Law Has Tough Provisions To Curb Left wing Extremism CM Assures No Misuse
The most serious offences, such as committing, abetting, or planning unlawful activities on behalf of such organisations, are punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh
Imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, classification of offences registered under it as cognisable and non-bailable are key features of a special bill passed by the Maharashtra legislature to curb activities of Left-wing extremist organisations.
According to PTI, The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, passed in the council on Friday and in the assembly on Thursday, introduced strict measures against individuals and organisations involved in activities declared as “unlawful.”
It will come into force on receiving the Governor’s assent.
As reported by PTI, The most serious offences, such as committing, abetting, or planning unlawful activities on behalf of such organisations, are punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. Since all offences under the law are cognisable and non-bailable, police can arrest individuals without a warrant, and courts are not obliged to grant bail, stated the bill.
These actions are punishable with imprisonment ranging from two to seven years. Even individuals who are not members (of outfits banned under the new legislation), but are found to be contributing money, soliciting funds, or sheltering members of such organisations can face up to two years in jail and a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh, it stated.
The bill allows the government to designate any organisation as unlawful if it is found to disrupt public order, incite violence, promote disobedience to law, or interfere with communication systems.
While tabling the bill, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis — who holds the Home portfolio — said the government was not against the Leftist ideology or organisations, and did not intend to suppress dissent.
Maharashtra will be the fifth state after Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand to enact a special public security law to curb `urban Naxalism’. The bill is yet to be tabled in the legislative council.
Vinod Nicole, the lone Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA in the assembly, opposed the bill, terming it unconstitutional.
The bill was passed by a voice vote. Speaker Rahul Narwekar declared it to have been passed by a majority.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said the bill was cleared with amendments from the joint select committee of both houses of the state legislature.