In a decisive move to curb the rising influence of organized gangs and contract killers, the Haryana Cabinet today green-lit one of the toughest proposed legislations in the state’s history.
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Targeting Syndicates: The HCOC Bill is specifically designed to tackle crimes that are committed as part of a “continuing unlawful activity” by organized groups. This includes extortion, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, drug trafficking, and interstate weapon smuggling.
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Stringent Provisions:
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Property Attachment: The draft bill allows the state to attach properties and assets earned through organized crime even before the final conviction.
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Strict Bail Norms: Obtaining bail under HCOC will be significantly harder than under the regular Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as the court will need to be satisfied that the accused is not likely to commit the crime again.
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Interception & Confessions: The bill may include provisions for the legal interception of communications and making confessions before an officer of the rank of SP (Superintendent of Police) admissible as evidence.
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Why Now? The decision follows several high-profile incidents of gang-related violence and extortion threats to businessmen in the NCR region. The government intends to provide a “legal shield” to the police to act preemptively against gang leaders operating from both within and outside state borders.
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Legislative Path: After the Cabinet’s nod, the bill will be reviewed by the Law Department before being tabled in the Winter Session of the Haryana Assembly. The government is expected to push for a quick passage, given the bipartisan concern over law and order.
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Safe-Guards: To prevent the misuse of such a powerful law, the Cabinet clarified that all HCOC cases would be overseen by high-ranking officers and special courts will be designated for speedy trials.
