West Bengal Govt Forms High-Level Committee to Review New National Criminal Laws
Updated: Jul 19, 2024 05:45:30pm
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West Bengal Govt Forms High-Level Committee to Review New National Criminal Laws
Kolkata, Jul 19 (KNN) In a significant move, the West Bengal government has established a high-level committee to review the recently implemented criminal laws at the national level.
This decision, announced through a resolution passed on July 16, comes in response to the state's concerns over the new legislation and its potential implications for West Bengal.
The committee's primary objective is to propose state-specific amendments to the three new criminal laws.
Another key responsibility of the committee is to evaluate whether the names of these laws should be changed at the state level. This consideration reflects the state's desire to potentially assert its own identity within the framework of national legislation.
The committee is also empowered to address any other relevant matters as deemed necessary. This broad mandate allows for a comprehensive review that can encompass unforeseen issues or concerns that may arise during the examination process.
The formation of this committee is rooted in the constitutional framework of India, specifically Article 246(2) and entries in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule. These provisions allow both the Parliament and state legislatures to make laws on certain subjects, including criminal law and procedure.
The West Bengal government had previously urged the Central Government to defer the implementation of these new criminal laws. However, the state's concerns were reportedly not addressed, prompting this unilateral action.
The seven-member committee, comprised of legal luminaries and senior government officials, is tasked with examining the new criminal laws and suggesting state-specific amendments. The committee will be chaired by Justice (Retd) Ashim Kumar Roy, a former Justice of the Calcutta High Court and current Lokayukta of West Bengal.
The committee has been granted broad powers to engage with experts, conduct public consultations, and seek opinions from various stakeholders. This inclusive approach aims to ensure a comprehensive review that considers diverse perspectives.
With a deadline of three months to submit its findings, the committee's work is expected to have far-reaching implications for the application of criminal law in West Bengal.
The outcome of this review could potentially influence how other states approach the implementation of national criminal laws within their jurisdictions.
(KNN Bureau)