{"id":7411,"date":"2025-08-19T11:26:05","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T11:26:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=7411"},"modified":"2025-08-19T11:39:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T11:39:01","slug":"organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Organized Crime Under The BNS And The Previous Laws: Critical Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Initially, there was no specific provision for organised crime and terrorist actions under \u201cThe Indian Penal Code 1860\u201d. All the terrorist activities are included under the legislative provision of \u201c<a href=\"\/legal\/article-8388-unlawful-activities-prevention-act-an-examination-of-the-specific-criticisms-of-the-act-and-their-counter-justifications.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967<\/a>\u201d and the organised crimes are provided under various state laws namely \u201cThe Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act 1999\u201d and other states like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat have enacted similar provision.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Other_Relevant_Laws_for_Organized_Crime\" >Other Relevant Laws for Organized Crime<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Indian_Penal_Code_1860\" >Indian Penal Code, 1860<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#The_Maharashtra_Control_of_Organized_Crime_Act_1999_MCOCA\" >The Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#The_Prevention_of_Money_Laundering_Act_2002_PMLA\" >The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#The_Narcotic_Drugs_and_Psychotropic_Substances_Act_1985_NDPS_Act\" >The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#The_Shift_to_a_Uniform_Law_%E2%80%93_The_Bharatiya_Nyaya_Sanhita_2023\" >The Shift to a Uniform Law \u2013 The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Organized_Crime\" >Organized Crime<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#What_is_Organized_Crime\" >What is Organized Crime?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Insights_from_the_US_Task_Force_Report_1967\" >Insights from the U.S. Task Force Report (1967)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Organized_Crimes_under_The_Bharatiya_Nyaya_Sanhita_2023\" >Organized Crimes under The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#What_are_the_essential_ingredients_of_Organized_Crime\" >What are the essential ingredients of Organized Crime?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Continuous_Unlawful_Activity\" >Continuous Unlawful Activity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Association_with_a_Crime_Syndicate\" >Association with a Crime Syndicate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Use_of_Unlawful_Means\" >Use of Unlawful Means<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Material_or_Financial_Gain\" >Material or Financial Gain<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Petty_Organized_Crime_Under_the_Bharatiya_Nyaya_Sanhita_2023\" >Petty Organized Crime Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Procedure\" >Procedure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Rights_Of_Accused_And_Organised_Crime\" >Rights Of Accused And Organised Crime<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Implication_and_Challenges\" >Implication and Challenges<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Overlapping_Legal_Frameworks\" >Overlapping Legal Frameworks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Implementation_and_Coordination\" >Implementation and Coordination<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Ambiguous_Terminology\" >Ambiguous Terminology<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Call_for_Legislative_Clarity\" >Call for Legislative Clarity<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Case_Study\" >Case Study<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Advocate_Shanmughsundram_Case\" >Advocate Shanmughsundram Case<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Terrorist_Funding_Case\" >Terrorist Funding Case<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/organized-crime-under-the-bns-and-the-previous-laws-critical-analysis\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Relevant_Laws_for_Organized_Crime\"><\/span>Other Relevant Laws for Organized Crime<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indian_Penal_Code_1860\"><\/span><a href=\"\/legal\/article-19482-historical-background-of-ipc-and-bns.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Penal Code, 1860<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Section 120A:<\/strong> Defines criminal conspiracy<\/li>\n<li><strong>Section 120B:<\/strong> Prescribes punishment for conspiracy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While these sections were used to address organized crime, they lacked specificity and effectiveness against large criminal syndicates.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Maharashtra_Control_of_Organized_Crime_Act_1999_MCOCA\"><\/span>The Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Enacted to combat organized crime syndicates and gangs operating in Maharashtra.<\/li>\n<li>Inspired similar laws in other states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Prevention_of_Money_Laundering_Act_2002_PMLA\"><\/span><a href=\"\/legal\/article-20853-the-prevention-of-money-laundering-act-and-the-indian-constitution-a-study-of-conflicting-norms.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Prevention of Money Laundering Act<\/a>, 2002 (PMLA)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Focuses on preventing and penalizing money laundering activities.<\/li>\n<li>Crucial for tackling financial crimes linked to organized crime.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Narcotic_Drugs_and_Psychotropic_Substances_Act_1985_NDPS_Act\"><\/span><a href=\"\/legal\/article-7218-narcotic-drugs-and-psychotropic-substances-act-1985-act-lxi-of-1985-at-a-glance.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act<\/a>, 1985 (NDPS Act)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Regulates the production, possession, sale, and consumption of narcotics.<\/li>\n<li>Helps counter drug smuggling and trafficking networks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Shift_to_a_Uniform_Law_%E2%80%93_The_Bharatiya_Nyaya_Sanhita_2023\"><\/span>The Shift to a Uniform Law \u2013 The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>For years, organized crime laws varied across states, allowing criminal gangs to exploit legal loopholes in regions without strict regulations. Even when caught, offenders were often only charged with criminal conspiracy, which was insufficient to address large-scale operations.<\/p>\n<p>The introduction of The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, brought a uniform legal framework across all states.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Section 111 of BNS:<\/strong> Criminalizes organized crime nationwide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This reform aims to modernize legal definitions, streamline procedures, and impose stricter penalties.<\/p>\n<p>However, there are concerns about overlapping provisions with existing special laws like MCOCA and UAPA.<\/p>\n<p>Despite these challenges, the inclusion of organized crime under BNS is a significant step toward stronger law enforcement and legal clarity across India.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Organized_Crime\"><\/span>Organized Crime<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Organized crime is no longer limited to a single country\u2014it has evolved into a global issue. Crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, arms smuggling, and human trafficking now operate across borders, making them more complex and difficult to combat. With advancements in technology and communication, criminal organizations can now function with greater efficiency, mobility, and secrecy, further worsening the situation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Organized_Crime\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalservicesindia.com\/article\/1290\/Organized-Crime-In-India.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What is Organized Crime<\/a>?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Organized crime refers to well-structured criminal networks involved in activities like drug smuggling, financial fraud, extortion, and acts of terrorism. These groups often transcend national boundaries, making them a serious threat to global security and economic stability. Addressing this challenge requires strong legal measures and international cooperation.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;A network of individuals or groups engaged in ongoing illegal activities, primarily driven by profit, regardless of national boundaries.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Insights_from_the_US_Task_Force_Report_1967\"><\/span>Insights from the U.S. Task Force Report (1967)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The U.S. Task Force Report (1967) provides a detailed view of organized crime, stating:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Organized crime is an underground society that operates beyond the control of the government and the people. It consists of criminal groups, gangs, and syndicates structured like large corporations, forming long-term conspiracies to establish control over various industries for the sole purpose of maximizing profits.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This perspective highlights how criminal organizations function much like legitimate businesses\u2014except their operations are rooted in illegal activities, corruption, and violence.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Organized_Crimes_under_The_Bharatiya_Nyaya_Sanhita_2023\"><\/span>Organized Crimes under The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Chapter VI of \u201cThe Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023\u201d provides the provisions for organised crimes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Section 111(1):<\/strong> \u201cIt should include any unlawful activity which is continuing such as kidnapping, robbery, vehicle theft, extortion, land grabbing, contract killing, economic offence, cyber-crimes, trafficking of persons, drugs, weapons or illicit goods or services, human trafficking for prostitution or ransom, further that it should be committed by any individual person, or any group of people like gangs who are acting in concert, singly or joint, or committed by member of such gang, syndicate. Such gang or syndicate must use some violence, threat of violence, intimidation, coercion, or by any other unlawful means. The ultimate object is to get direct or indirect some material benefits for instance financial benefit. If all these facts are available it shall constitute offence of organized crime\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_essential_ingredients_of_Organized_Crime\"><\/span>What are the essential ingredients of Organized Crime?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"lead\">Organized crime consists of several essential components that define its nature and scope. These elements help distinguish it from ordinary criminal activities and determine its legal consequences.<\/p>\n<section>\n<ol type=\"i\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Continuous_Unlawful_Activity\"><\/span>Continuous Unlawful Activity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For a crime to be classified as organized crime, it must involve a pattern of repeated illegal activities over a period of time. Courts have reinforced this principle:<\/p>\n<p class=\"case\">In State of Maharashtra v. Bharat Shanti Lal Shah, the court ruled that a history of criminal activity, demonstrated by multiple charge sheets, is a key factor in establishing organized crime.<\/p>\n<p class=\"case\">In Sandip Omprakash Gupta v. State of Gujarat, the Supreme Court held that cases filed within a 10-year timeframe are required to prosecute an individual under Gujarat\u2019s organized crime laws.<\/p>\n<p class=\"subheading\"><b>Common activities that fall under this category include<\/b>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Kidnapping<\/li>\n<li>Robbery<\/li>\n<li>Cybercrime<\/li>\n<li>Vehicle theft<\/li>\n<li>Extortion<\/li>\n<li>Land grabbing<\/li>\n<li>Contract killing<\/li>\n<li>Illegal trade in goods or services<\/li>\n<li>Human trafficking (for prostitution or ransom)<\/li>\n<li>Drug or arms trafficking<\/li>\n<li>Financial and economic crimes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Association_with_a_Crime_Syndicate\"><\/span>Association with a Crime Syndicate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Organized crime is not committed in isolation\u2014it is carried out by individuals or groups acting together. These individuals may operate within a crime syndicate or act on behalf of one.<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_of_Unlawful_Means\"><\/span>Use of Unlawful Means<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Such activities involve violence, threats, coercion, intimidation, or other illegal tactics to achieve their goals. These methods ensure compliance from victims and expand the control of criminal organizations.<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Material_or_Financial_Gain\"><\/span>Material or Financial Gain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The ultimate aim of organized crime is to obtain monetary or material benefits, either directly or indirectly. These profits can stem from illegal businesses, fraud, or extortion.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Petty_Organized_Crime_Under_the_Bharatiya_Nyaya_Sanhita_2023\"><\/span>Petty Organized Crime Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Section 112 of The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 introduces the concept of petty organized crime. It states that a person involved in a gang or criminal group\u2014either individually or collectively\u2014can be charged under this provision if they engage in specific offenses such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Theft<\/li>\n<li>Snatching<\/li>\n<li>Cheating<\/li>\n<li>Unauthorized ticket sales<\/li>\n<li>Illegal betting or gambling<\/li>\n<li>Selling leaked public examination papers<\/li>\n<li>Any other similar criminal act<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>The explanation attached to the section expands the definition of theft to include:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pickpocketing<\/li>\n<li>Cargo theft<\/li>\n<li>Theft from vehicles, homes, or businesses<\/li>\n<li>ATM theft<\/li>\n<li>Shoplifting<\/li>\n<li>Credit card skimming fraud<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By clearly outlining these elements, the law aims to tackle both large-scale organized crime and smaller but recurring criminal activities, ensuring a structured approach to law enforcement.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Procedure\"><\/span>Procedure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>With the introduction of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, which replaced The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and The Indian Evidence Act, 1872, one major concern remains\u2014there is no dedicated or structured legal procedure for handling organized crime.<\/p>\n<p>Under the new legal framework, offenses related to organized crime are to be tried in Sessions Courts and investigated by local police officials. However, this approach differs significantly from how cases under special laws, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA): Investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and tried in special courts set up under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.<\/li>\n<li>Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA): Investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and tried in special courts.<\/li>\n<li>Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act): Investigated by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and tried in special courts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Since organized crime cases are now expected to follow the general criminal procedure, there is a clear disconnect between regular criminal trials and those conducted under special laws. Each of these special laws follows a different investigation and trial process, often handled by specialized agencies like the ED or NIA, which have more extensive powers. This inconsistency creates confusion for law enforcement agencies, victims, and courts, making case management more complex.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, special laws often remove certain protections available to the accused under regular criminal procedures\u2014such as stricter bail conditions and the admissibility of confessions made to the police. This inconsistency raises concerns about fairness, due process, and potential misuse of law.<\/p>\n<p>Recognizing these challenges, the Standing Committee on Home Affairs (2023) has recommended introducing a separate criminal procedure for organized crime within The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. This would help streamline investigations, trials, and legal safeguards, ensuring a more consistent and effective approach to tackling organized crime.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rights_Of_Accused_And_Organised_Crime\"><\/span>Rights Of Accused And Organised Crime<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The legal principle of \u201cNemo Debet Bis Vexari\u201d\u2014which means \u201cno person should be tried twice for the same offense\u201d\u2014is a fundamental safeguard for the rights of the accused. This principle is reinforced by Article 20(2) of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits double jeopardy, ensuring that no individual is prosecuted or punished more than once for the same offense.<\/p>\n<p>However, the application of multiple laws to a single act of organized crime can undermine this protection. If different legal provisions lead to separate proceedings for the same offense, an accused individual may face repeated legal action and multiple penalties for a single act. This not only violates fundamental rights but also disrupts the balance between the rights of the accused and those of the victim.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, such overlapping legal processes could place an unnecessary burden on the judicial system, leading to redundant investigations, prolonged trials, and inefficiencies in justice delivery. Striking a balance between effective law enforcement and protecting constitutional rights is essential to ensure fair and just legal proceedings.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Implication_and_Challenges\"><\/span>Implication and Challenges<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The inclusion of organized crime in The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is a significant step toward tackling such offenses. However, several challenges and implications arise, necessitating careful measures for effective implementation.<\/p>\n<ol type=\"i\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Overlapping_Legal_Frameworks\"><\/span>Overlapping Legal Frameworks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Existing laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 already define specific offenses and outline investigation and trial procedures tailored to their objectives. In contrast, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 provides a broad definition of offenses, while The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 lay down general procedural guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>This overlap creates legal ambiguity, leading to confusion in investigation and trial processes. Such inconsistencies can pose difficulties for victims, accused individuals, law enforcement agencies, and courts. The general legal principle states that special laws override general laws, raising questions about the necessity of incorporating specific offenses into The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Implementation_and_Coordination\"><\/span>Implementation and Coordination<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For the effective enforcement of both special and general laws, seamless coordination between various agencies at the central and state levels is crucial. This requires:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Adequate resources for information sharing and collaborative efforts.<\/li>\n<li>Specialized training for law enforcement officials.<\/li>\n<li>Adoption of technological advancements to enhance investigation and monitoring.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Without a well-structured mechanism, inconsistencies in enforcement may weaken the impact of the new provisions.<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ambiguous_Terminology\"><\/span>Ambiguous Terminology<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The legislation introduces several new and undefined terms, such as <em>criminal organization<\/em> and <em>general feelings of insecurity<\/em>, which lack clear legal definitions. Additionally, expressions like <em>gang<\/em>, <em>anchor points<\/em>, and <em>mobile organized crime groups<\/em> are left unexplained, leading to potential misinterpretation and inconsistent application of the law.<\/p>\n<p>A particularly vague phrase, <em>such other common forms of organized crime<\/em>, further broadens the scope of the provision without clarity. Moreover, Section 112(2) imposes the same punishment (one to seven years of imprisonment along with a fine) for both committing and attempting petty organized crime, which may lead to disproportionate sentencing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Call_for_Legislative_Clarity\"><\/span>Call for Legislative Clarity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Recognizing these challenges, the Standing Committee on Home Affairs (2023) has recommended revising the provisions to bring more clarity, prevent misuse, and ensure uniform implementation across the country. Addressing these concerns will be key to balancing national security with fair and effective legal enforcement.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Case_Study\"><\/span>Case Study<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol type=\"i\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advocate_Shanmughsundram_Case\"><\/span>Advocate Shanmughsundram Case<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The lawyer Mr. Shanmughsundram faced brutal assault in his residential home during May 1995 within a southern Indian state. His personal staff observed the attack happen before them as he lived there. The power politician wanted to stop a High Court petition against his corrupt activities and arranged for the attack on the victim when he was ready to file it. The local police initiated arrests yet these actions failed to assure law professionals. The High Court relocated the matter to CBI.<\/p>\n<p>During investigation it was revealed that the attacked and politically connected victim was working toward obtaining legal interference. The attack on the petitioner enraged the political figure who ordered it through his subordinates. Local police conducted dubious actions by forcing certain criminals to surrender whom they knew were innocent but let them agree with taking guilt to defend their ally criminal gang.<\/p>\n<p>The actual perpetrators of the crime were revealed during investigations conducted by CBI. The police captured and prosecuted all defendants who faced court proceedings. Welding Kumar served as the attack organizer even though he did not attend the crime scene because he received a conspiracy charge. Life imprisonment became the sentenced punishment for every suspect and Welding Kumar among them. The investigation remained limited to Welding Kumar because enough evidence failed to develop concerning the third-tier motivators. Organised crime investigations often encounter this type of problem.<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Terrorist_Funding_Case\"><\/span>Terrorist Funding Case<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Delhi Police recently arrested a militant found in possession of foreign currency, suspicious documents, and letters from a high-ranking militant leader based abroad. During interrogation, authorities uncovered links to foreign entities and the transfer of large sums of money into India through the illegal hawala network.<\/p>\n<p>Given the urgency and gravity of the situation, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Another suspect was later arrested, revealing that he had traveled abroad to conspire with terrorist sympathizers to establish a network across India. The funds were funneled through the hawala system, an underground financial channel.<\/p>\n<p>Further investigations uncovered that a gang member in Delhi had received and distributed funds, which were then converted into bank drafts. These drafts, issued under fictitious names, were used to finance terrorist activities while avoiding detection. As authorities pursued the case, multiple operatives were arrested, leading to the exposure of key masterminds behind the operation.<\/p>\n<p>The investigation ultimately led to the recovery of \u20b91.5 crores in cash and a personal diary detailing payments totaling \u20b958 crores to various politicians and bureaucrats in India. This high-profile scandal later became widely known as the<b> Jain Hawala Case.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cThe Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023\u201d marks a significant advancement in India\u2019s fight against organized crime. By broadening the definition of these offenses and introducing a more structured legal framework, it aims to provide a stronger and more effective approach to addressing this growing challenge.<\/p>\n<p>However, for the law to be truly effective, it is essential to address certain challenges, such as overlapping provisions with existing laws, unclear definitions, and the need for efficient implementation. A coordinated effort between different government agencies will be crucial in ensuring its success.<\/p>\n<p>Given the evolving nature of organized crime, India has long faced difficulties in tackling these threats. The BNS, 2023 is a forward-thinking reform designed to meet modern criminal challenges while ensuring a stronger and safer legal system. By replacing the Indian Penal Code, 1860, this legislation introduces robust measures aimed at protecting citizens and strengthening law enforcement efforts across the country.<\/p>\n<p>With proper execution, \u201c<b>The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023<\/b>\u201d has the potential to make India a more secure and just society.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction Initially, there was no specific provision for organised crime and terrorist actions under \u201cThe Indian Penal Code 1860\u201d. All the terrorist activities are included under the legislative provision of \u201cThe Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967\u201d and the organised crimes are provided under various state laws namely \u201cThe Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act 1999\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":324,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[28],"class_list":{"0":"post-7411","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-criminal-law","7":"tag-top-news"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/324"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7411"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7411\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}