The Yogi Adityanath government on Wednesday tabled the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organized Crime Act (UPCOCA) in the Assembly amidst protest from opposition parties.

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After getting a nod from the cabinet, Chief Minister Yogi Aditanath said that the new act would help the state government in controlling organised crime in Uttar Pradesh. He urged opposition parties to help government get the Bill passed from both Houses of the State Legislature.

With opposition members vehemently opposing UPCOCA, Samawadi Party announced that they will not allow this Bill to pass.

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP government introduced UPCOCA to settle scores with its political opponents. “Provisions of the new Act will be used to target political leaders. There are several laws to  control crime effectively, there is no need to bring in another law to curb crime,” stated Akhilesh.

BSP Supremo Mayawati has also opposed UPCOCA. “It will used against dalits, backwards and minorities. Anyone protesting against the BJP government will slapped with UPCOCA,” apprehended Mayawati. It is, however, another matter that she was the first to bring in UPCOCA when during her regime but had to drop after Samajwadi Party refused to support it.

The new Bill was drafted on the lines of MCOCA. The new Bill recommends stringent action against organized crime including mafia gangs, illegal mining, land grabbing, kidnapping for ransom, supari killings etc.

The Bill allows phone recordings as evidences and an accused can be kept under police custody for six months for interrogation. The period for filing chage sheet has also been doubled up to 180 days. Properties of accused would be attached and those earned through illegal means would be confiscated. It provides punishment of three years to capital punishment and a find of Rs 5 lakh to 25 lakh.

A committee has been formed to review cases before slapping provisions of UPCOCA to check its misuse. Special Courts would be established to expedite speedy trials of accused.