Letters to The EDITOR: Three new bills of Home Minister

On August 11, 2023, the Union Home Minister introduced three new bills in the Lok Sabha, namely Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 to replace Indian Penal Code 1860, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 to replace Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanghita 2023 to replace Indian Evidence Act 1872. The bills were later referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs for detailed examination and comments.

However, it is dismaying to find that there is very little discussion in the public domain about these three bills, which are likely to have a huge impact on the daily lives of ordinary Indian citizens. The absence of public debate and media coverage in this part of India is more pronounced. We urge everyone concerned to initiate public discourse on these three new bills pertaining to the Union Home Ministry. The opinions of the experts and distinguished police personnel are urgently required before the legislation of these bills. Media houses should also take the initiative in this regard.

Further, even the best intended legislation can do little if there is no reform in the Indian Police System. Perhaps the governments would do better if police reforms were carried out before such bills were passed by Parliament.

D Bhutia,

RGB Road.

GPS tracker to monitor a person

It surprises me to know from a news report of a national daily where it is revealed that an accused, while granted bail, was imposed a condition by the NIA Court of Jammu and Kashmir to implant a GPS tracking device to monitor his moments. This is the first time in a country that a GPS tracker has been put to such use. After his release on bail, a GPS tracker was affixed to the prisoner to monitor his movement. Earlier, we had the knowledge of implanting GPS on animals and vehicles to watch the movement, but lastly, as per court order, it is implanted upon a human being. To me, this action is violative of fundamental rights to privacy and requires intervention by human rights authorities.

Subhash Chandra Biswas,

Guwahati-1