CAIT urges Home Min to amend section 411 & 412 of IPC to protect honest traders from harassment

New Delhi, Oct 1 (KNN) The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to bring amendments in Section 411 & 412 of Indian Penal Code to protect honest traders from "harassment and victimization"  being held on large scale across the country.

In a communication sent to the Home Minister, CAIT requested him to amend the said sections of the IPC Act since large numbers of traders are harassed without any fault or dishonesty and therefore the time needed amendments are required so that honest traders can do business activities without any fear.

According to these sections, any trader who deals in theft goods is liable for arrest, penalized and fine and these sections are non-bailable, said CAIT.

Traders body further added that, at times the traders particularly jewellers change, convert old goods in lieu of new goods or purchase goods against payment. Certainly, the traders do not know the source of the goods and it might be possible that sometimes theft goods may exchange hands with traders.

However, many times even without having substance the traders are arrested. Sometimes, the traders are forced to part money due to fear and as such these sections are being misused across the Country, CAIT added.

CAIT National President B.C.Bhartia & Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal in communication to Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that these sections of IPC are archaic and needs amendments in wake of ensuring justice and fair play.

In present circumstances business rivalry, fixing traders on baseless allegations are routine happenings and even without any substantial evidence the traders are targeted, they added.

The CAIT firmly said that if any traders found purchasing theft goods knowingly or indulging into such activities intentionally, must be prosecuted but in shelter of these sections the honest traders should not be penalized or victimized.

The CAIT has suggested the Home Minister that under Section 411 and 412 if there is any offence, the traders should be made witness and not the accused. In order to stop the misuse of these sections a Vigilance Committee under Additional Director General of Police should be constituted in each state and to deal with matters related to Section 411 & 412 a District level joint Committee of Police officials and trade representatives should be formed in each district to ensure that traders are not victimized. 

Commenting over this, CAIT National Convener of Jewellers Wing Pankaj Arora said that these sections are being misused maximum against Jewellery traders in the Country.

He said that most of the people exchange their old ornaments with new ornaments or sell their old ornaments for want of money. It is difficult for traders to know the actual source of such ornaments and sometimes the theft goods are also being sold. There is a need to protect honest traders from misuse of these sections and therefore amendments are necessary.