Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024

Source: The Indian Express
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; GS III: Linkages between development and spread of extremism

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Salient features of Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024
3. Naxalism in India

Why in the News?

The state government tabled the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024 in the Assembly to check urban Naxalism.

News in Brief

• The Bill was tabled by state Minister Uday Samant.
• The seized literature of Naxals shows safe houses and urban dens of the Maoist network in cities of Maharashtra.
• Bill is crafted on the lines of the Public Security Act passed by Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for effective unlawful activities of Naxal frontal organisations or similar bodies.

Why the need for Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024?

• Legislation was necessary to control the unlawful activities of frontal organisations.
• Effective legal means as the existing laws are ineffective and inadequate to tackle the Naxalism menace.
• The activities of Naxal organisations or similar organisations through their united front are creating unrest among the common people.
• This is done through propagating their ideology of armed rebellion against the constitutional mandate and disrupting public order in the state.

Salient features of Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024

Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024 was recently tabled in the Maharashtra Assembly to address the growing threat of Urban Naxalism.

Remember, this bill aims to curb the proliferation of Urban Naxalism and enhance security in Maharashtra.

Here are its key provisions

• Banning of Unlawful Organizations: The government may declare an organization unlawful if it is involved in unlawful activities or aids and abets such activities.
• Imprisonment and Fine: Members of unlawful organizations participating in meetings or activities can face imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to ₹3 lakh.
  • 2-year jail term, Rs 2 lakh fine even if not a member, but contributes/ receives/ solicits any contribution or aid” or “harbours” a member.
  • 7-year jail term, Rs 5 lakh fine if a person commits/ abets/ attempts/ plans to commit “any unlawful activity” of such an organisation.
• Advisory Board: The state government will constitute an advisory board to determine which outfits can be designated as “urban Naxal” organizations.
  • A board will be set up comprising three persons.
  • They are or have been qualified to be appointed as Judges of the high court.
  • In 6 weeks, the board will review the evidence, hear from the involved individuals, and submit a report within three months.
  • If the board fails to find sufficient cause for declaring the organisation government will revoke the notification
• Police Powers: The proposed law allows police to enter premises to check for literature used for unlawful activities. If found, they can seize such literature and properties.
• Possession:
  • If an organization is declared unlawful, the District Magistrate or Commissioner of Police has the authority to notify and take possession of any place that is being used for its activities.
  • This provision aims to prevent such organizations from operating freely within the state.
  • This can include movable property including money, securities or other assets found therein.

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