New Delhi, March 22 (FN Agency) The government has all intentions to “comprehensively review” the existing Criminal Laws, and make them relevant to the contemporary law and order situation, the Home Ministry told Parliament on Tuesday. Responding to a question on whether the government was planning to bring a law against mob-lynching, Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai said, “It is the intention of the Government to comprehensively review the existing Criminal Laws and make them relevant to the contemporary law and order situation, as well as to provide speedy justice to the vulnerable sections of the society and create a legal structure, which is citizen-centric.” Rai said the department–related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, in its 146th Report, had recommended that there was a need for a comprehensive review of Criminal Justice System of the country.
“Earlier, the Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 111th and 128th Reports, had also stressed upon the need to reform and rationalise the criminal law of the country by introducing a comprehensive legislation in Parliament rather than bringing about piece-meal amendments in respective Acts,” he said. He said the Government of India has initiated the process for comprehensive amendments to criminal laws in consultation with all the stakeholders. He also said no separate data for mob lynching is maintained by NCRB. The Minister also said ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects however, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued advisories to States.