Call to review Karnataka's draconian bill

A convention attended by severel human rights organisations, including a Christian council, has expressed apprehension over a Karnataka bill that they say can be misused by government forces.

At the convention on "Challenges to the Rule of Law in Karnataka" at NGO hall in Bangalore on Oct. 10, several human rights organisations called for the reviewing of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA), which they claimed, was "violating human rights".

The convention was jointly organised by Sichrem, Komu Souharda Vedika, Human Rights Law Network, All India Christian Council and National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations. (NCHRO).

Inaugurating the convention, senior advocate of Supreme Court Adv. Prashanth Bhushan, said innocent people could be arrested and tortured by security agencies under these laws. The draconian law, he informed, suppresses the voice of human rights organisations.

Kumarswamy of All India Christian Council also strongly condemned the KCOCA citing the growing violence against Christians in Karnataka.

Matthew Philips of SICHREM says that the state is indulging in violence, killing of innocent people and branding minorities as terrorists. He warned the government that people would treat the law recklessly if the state continues to ignore its plea.

The Karnataka government in the wake of Mumbai terror attack proposed to amend the KCOCA making certain provisions more stringent.

According to the bill, the maximum punishment that can be awarded to offenders will be death penalty.

Also, the existing 180 day time limit stipulated for filing of chargesheet and completion of enquiry against the arrested person has been enhanced to 365 days, allowing investigating authorities a full year's time.