12 Dec 2023 4:09 PM GMT
The new version of the new penal code bill - Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita 2023 - introduced by the Union Government in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday has a wider definition of the offence of "terrorist act" compared to the initial version of the bill introduced in August.
Acts done with the intent of threatening or likely to threaten the "economic security of India", which cause or likely to cause "damage to the monetary stability of India by way of production or smuggling or circulation of counterfeit Indian paper currency, coin or of any other material" are also brought under the ambit of "terrorist act".
Besides, acts threatening or likely to threaten the unity, integrity, sovereignty, security of the country or striking terror in the minds of people are also covered under the offence. These acts include death or damages to properties caused by use of bombs, explosives, firearms, or other lethal weapons or poisonous or noxious gases or other chemicals or by any other substance (whether biological, radioactive, nuclear or otherwise) of a hazardous nature.
This definition, provided under Clause 113 of the Bill, is similar to the definition of "terrorist act" given in Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Causing death of a public functionary, abduction of a person to compel the Government of India, any State Government or any foreign government to do or not to do any act also becomes terrorist act.
The offence is punishable with death, or imprisonment for life. Those who conspire or attempt to abet or incite such action, or knowingly facilitate the commission of a terrorist act, could face imprisonment of not less than five years, extendable to life sentence.
The revised Bill, along with the other two bills to replace the Indian Evidence Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure, will be taken for discussion in the Lok Sabha on December 14. The earlier bills were withdrawn for re-introduction after incorporating some of the suggestions made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee.