BLOCK GUJARAT CRIME LAW: UPA

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has written to President Pratibha Patil advising her to withhold assent to the Gujarat Control of Organised Crime (GUJCOC) Bill which was passed by the Gujarat Assembly for the fourth time on July 28 last year. That Bill was a slightly amended version of the previous Bill which had been sent back by President Patil in November 2008 with the advice that the Assembly considers passing it after removing provisions that could be susceptible to misuse by investigating agencies.  As per the Constitution, if a legislature passes the same Bill that earlier didn’t receive assent – of the Governor or the President – the Governor or the President is bound to clear it. In her advice while returning the previous Bill, the President had suggested amending three clauses to bring it in tune with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2008.