State to save cops from violent stirs
The UDF is one step closer to amending a landmark law to save police officials and their kin from the violence unleashed by agitating political parties during hartals and other protests.
The draft proposal for the enactment in this regard was sanctioned by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy last week.
The proposal will be placed before the cabinet for further discussion and clearance, a top source said.
Pursuant to the direction of home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Director General of Prosecutions, T.Asaf Ali, prepared a draft proposal which was sent to the home department.
The DGP’s draft recommends a harsher punishment of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine for attacking public servants and a five-year term for destroying public property.
The decision to make amendments to the law was taken after a CPM-backed hartal protesting the arrest of its leader P. Jayarajan had turned violent resulting in three deaths and loss of Rs 2.23 crore.
According to the draft, the state will amend Section 21 of the IPC adding a new section 21 A. “Blood relations or all family members of the public servant will be defined under the section.”
A new section 332 A IPC will be added under which “If someone voluntarily causes hurt to any relative of the public servant, he or she will be punished with imprisonment which may extend to 3 years and a fine.”
Another section 333A IPC will be added and as per this section if the injury is grievous he/she will be punished for 10 years and will have to pay a fine.
A new section 427A will be made under which whoever commits mischief causing damage to property other than public property, will get five years imprisonment and a fine.
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