Live
- Tata Motors’ net profit drops 11 pc on slow JLR, commercial vehicles sales
- In peak poll time, MVA allies target BJP-MahaYuti over 'washing machine politics' in Maharashtra
- PM Modi in Maha rally dares MVA leaders to make Congress praise Savarkar, Bal Thackeray's ideology
- Lee Carsley reveals no contact yet with incoming England Boss Thomas Tuchel
- Satyasai Vratams with Devotion
- Ashok Leyland registers 37 pc jump in Q2 net profit, declares dividend
- Vote for Mahayuti means people are with PM, says HM Shah in Maharashtra
- Neeraj Chopra to commence one month off-season training in South Africa later this month
- Grand Celebrations of CM Revanth Reddy’s Birthday
- Telangana Government Forms Cabinet Sub-Committee to Address Employee Issues
Most States silent on draft bill on torture
It had also asked for their views on a law panel report submitted to the Law Ministry in October 2017 on a proposal to amend sections 330 and 331 of the Indian Penal Code to include torture as a crime
Most States have maintained silence on a draft bill which seeks life in jail for public servants convicted of torture. So far, only four States - Meghalaya, Sikim, Jharkand and Himachal Pradesh - have conveyed their agreements with the draft bill prepared by the Law Commission. According to a Law Ministry note which was prepared for use in Lok Sabha Question Hour, the Centre had in November reminded all States to send their views on the draft 'Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017'.
It had also asked for their views on a law panel report submitted to the Law Ministry in October 2017 on a proposal to amend sections 330 and 331 of the Indian Penal Code to include 'torture' as a crime. The proposal was sent to the Law Commission, then headed by Justice (retd) B S Chauhan for its views. The law panel submitted a report on implementation of the United Nations Convention against torture and also prepared the draft bill.
The report, as well as the draft bill, were sent to States for their views earlier this year as criminal laws are in the concurrent list and stands of the states are required. Recommending life in jail for public servants convicted of torture, the Law Commission has said the government should ratify a UN convention to tide over difficulties in extraditing criminals from foreign countries due to the absence of a law preventing harsh treatment by authorities.
It also said in case the government decided to ratify the UN convention on torture and other inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, a bill should be introduced in Parliament to amend various laws to prevent torture by government officials. The draft 'Prevention of torture bill, 2017' proposes "stringent punishment" to perpetrators to curb instances of torture and to have a deterrent effect. The punishment could extend up to life imprisonment and also include a fine.
