KTR demands Telangana Govt to clarify stance on new criminal laws

He emphasised the urgent need for extensive discussion in the ensuing Assembly session and pass a resolution to be sent to the Union government.

Hyderabad: Amid nation-wide debate over the new criminal laws which came into force on July 1 this year, BRS working president KT Rama Rao emphasised the urgent need for extensive discussion in the ensuing Assembly session and to pass a resolution to be sent to the union government. He demanded that both the State government as well as the Congress party clarify their stance on the contentious laws.

He warned that unless the Revanth Reddy government made an announcement immediately in this regard, the people of Telangana would consider it a totalitarian anti-people government. He also demanded that the State government appoint a committee to discuss and abolish the oppressive sections of these laws.

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In an open letter addressed to the State government on Monday, Rama Rao said there were strong objections to the new criminal laws from various sections as they were infringing on fundamental rights and freedom of citizens, potentially transforming Telangana into a police-controlled State. “Telangana is the land of people’s movements and agitations. It is a land where people are ready to make any sacrifices for the protection of civil rights,” he reminded.

The BRS working president said intellectuals, rights groups, and social activists were alarmed by these new laws, which they argue give excessive power to the police and the government. He questioned the silence of the State government as well as the Congress party, while the Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka had already opposed these laws.

He suggested that the State government should consider following the lead of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and West Bengal by either bringing amendments or opposing the central laws. He insisted that the Revanth Reddy government announce its decision immediately and urged them to write to the Central government to amend the dictatorial sections in the new laws.

“The laws were brought in hastily without extensive consultation with the stakeholders including judges, lawyers, investigative agencies, and ordinary citizens,” he noted.

The former Minister listed out several provisions in the new criminals laws that were detrimental to citizens’ rights. He pointed out that protesting against government’s decisions and actions were now considered an offence. Similarly, the period of police custody was increased from 15 to 90 days, allowing for multiple remands. Thus, even if the court granted bail, the police could still take the accused into custody. Further, the new laws enabled the police to confiscate properties of the accused which otherwise required court permission.

He said the investigative agencies now had extensive powers to prosecute individuals for organised crime, leading to its potential misuse. A new chapter on cyber crimes, hacking, financial crimes, and privacy breaches contained many ambiguities. Similarly, he said confusion prevailed over applicability of the old and the new laws, with regards to the ongoing cases in the courts.

Above all, Rama Rao said despite the Supreme Court’s stay on the ‘Sedition’ Act in 2022, the new laws reintroduces it under the name ‘treason,’ which could be misused to stifle criticism of government policies. “The Congress party which came into the government promising to deliver a people’s governance must clarify its position on these new laws,” he asserted..