Big attack on organized crime in Bihar, DM gets more powers to impose CCA
Patna. Bihar government has increased the scope of powers of District Magistrates to tighten the noose on anti-social elements and organized crime. After the recent amendment in Bihar Crime Control Act i.e. Bihar CCA, District Magistrates have been given permission to take action under CCA against criminals involved in seven types of serious crimes. This step of the government aims to establish effective control on activities like organized crime, land mafia, illegal mining, human trafficking and spreading hatred through social media.
Under the amended provisions, people causing large-scale damage to public or private property illegally have also been brought under the ambit of CCA. Apart from this, action can also be taken under this law against land mafias who illegally evict a person from his movable or immovable property. This will give additional powers to the administration to take action in cases of forcible occupation of land and property.
In Bihar, cases related to land disputes and illegal occupation of land have been a big challenge for the administration. In many cases, allegations of capture of land and property of vulnerable persons by organized gangs or powerful people come to the fore. After the amendment, in such cases, if the prescribed legal conditions are met, the District Magistrate will be able to take action under CCA.
The government has also included organized malpractice under its ambit. Under this, the way has been cleared for strict action against those involved in activities that affect law and order in an organized manner. In such cases, the administration will be able to take action under the provisions of the law on the basis of the activities of the concerned person or gang and the available evidence.
The government has also prepared to crack down on criminals involved in illegal mining. Stopping illegal mining and transportation of sand and other minerals in various areas of Bihar remains a constant challenge before the administration. Many times complaints also come to light about organized networks being active behind illegal mining. Under the amended CCA, District Magistrates will get more powers to take action against such organized criminals.
In view of the increasing influence of social media, the government has also given space to its misuse in the amendment. Criminals involved in spreading hatred and disturbing social harmony through social media will also now be able to come under the ambit of CCA. Its objective is to control such online activities which are at risk of affecting public order and social peace.
However, while taking action in cases related to social media, the role of prescribed standards of law and available evidence will be important. Action on the basis of any post or content will be possible only if it falls within the provisions of the amended law. The administration will have to investigate the digital evidence and related circumstances in such cases.
Provision for action under CCA has also been made against criminals involved in human trafficking. Human trafficking cases often involve organized networks spanning more than one district or state. The administration will now get additional legal power to take action against such networks targeting women, children and other vulnerable sections.
The government’s emphasis is on crimes whose impact is not limited to just one person, but affects public order, social security or the interests of a large number of people. Keeping this in mind, District Magistrates have been allowed to use CCA against elements involved in seven types of serious crimes.
After the changes made in CCA, the responsibility of District Magistrates will also increase. They have to study the case concerned, the nature of the crime, its impact and the available evidence before taking action against a person. Every action taken under the law will have to be done in accordance with the prescribed procedure and legal provisions.
The impact of the amendment can be especially seen in cases related to land mafia and illegal possession. Cracking down under CCA on organized elements active in illegally evicting a person from his movable and immovable property will provide another option to the administration to deal with such cases.
Similarly, action is also likely to be intensified against organized gangs involved in illegal mining. The government has already been campaigning against illegal mining and transportation. With the new provisions, the role of district administration will become more important in dealing with such organized networks.
By bringing activities like human trafficking and spreading hatred on social media under the ambit of law, the government has clearly indicated that with the changing times, new methods of crime will also be kept an eye on. If the digital platform is used to disturb public order or spread hatred, the administration will be able to take action as per legal provisions.
After this amendment in Bihar CCA, now the focus will be on its implementation in the districts. The government is hoping to effectively control organized crime and anti-social activities through additional powers given to District Magistrates. In the coming times, strict action can be seen under this law against land mafia, illegal mining, human trafficking and organized crimes affecting public order.