2 years jail for bribery in polls
Posted on: 02/Feb/2015 11:21:42 AM - No. of views : (1434)
Government of India is planning to enact a law regarding bribery in polls. The government is contemplating to amend the law to make bribery - both cash and kind- during elections a cognizable offence, empowering police to arrest the violators without a warrant and jail up to two years.
The Home Ministry has recently conveyed to the Election Commission that it has initiated the process to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and a note has been sent to law officers to prepare the draft amendment bill. The letter of the Home Ministry has been sent to the Election Commission in response to the poll panel`s query asking the status of its suggestion to make bribery a cognizable offence.
A cognizable offence is a crime for which a police officer has the authority to make an arrest without a warrant.
Police are also allowed to start an investigation with or without the permission of a court for cognizable offences.
"If the draft is prepared on time, we may introduce the amendment bill in Parliament sometime in second half of the budget session," a Home Ministry official said.
