Demand to Repeal Dacoity Act 1981, Dr. Govind Singh Writes to CM

Repeal of Dacoity Act 1981 Demanded

Former Leader of Opposition and ex-minister Dr. Govind Singh has written to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, demanding the immediate repeal of the 'Madhya Pradesh Dacoity and Disturbances Affected Areas Act, 1981'. Dr. Singh argues that the act has become irrelevant in the current context and is being misused.

Act Lacks Relevance Post Dacoity Era

In his letter, Dr. Govind Singh emphasized that there has been no activity by any dacoit gang in Madhya Pradesh, particularly the Chambal region, since the killing of the last listed dacoit, Jagjivan Parihar, in 2007. He noted that prominent figures like former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the then State Home Minister Umashankar Gupta in 2012 have acknowledged the end of the dacoity problem in the state at various times.

Misuse of Obsolete Law Causes Concern

Dr. Govind Singh expressed concern that despite the absence of dacoit gangs, hundreds of First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed under the 'Madhya Pradesh Dacoity and Disturbances Affected Areas Act, 1981' in recent years. Reliable reports indicate that between April 2020 and February 2023, 922 FIRs were registered under this act in six districts of the Gwalior-Chambal region.

He alleged that Section 5 of the act, which imposes a complete prohibition on anticipatory bail, and Section 6, which provides for special courts, violate citizens' fundamental rights, specifically Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). The former minister also highlighted that the application of this stringent law to minor criminal cases is negatively impacting the future of local youth and students, potentially depriving them of future opportunities.

History and Current Status of the Act

'The Madhya Pradesh Dacoity and Disturbances Affected Areas Act' was implemented on October 6, 1981, with the objective of tackling the dacoity and kidnapping incidents prevalent in the state at that time. However, the law and order situation in the state has significantly improved over the past few decades.

Following the elimination of the last listed dacoit by the state police, the image of the Chambal region has undergone a significant transformation. Despite this, the continued existence of the act and its alleged misuse remain a cause for concern. Dr. Singh has appealed for the immediate repeal of this old and irrelevant law, prioritizing public interest.