Now, 10-year jail term for attacking public servant

Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday introduced a bill to amend the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) Act which provides for enhancing punishment from three to 10 years years with fine, for assaulting public servants from performing their duties.

Mr Fadnavis said there has been an increase in the number of assaults to deter public servants from doing the duty.

The bill has proposed that “The punishment for voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from doing his duty and assault or use of force to deter the public servant from discharging his duty will be three to 10 years, or fine or both. It will be a cognisable and non-bailable offence.” The punishment will depend on the severity of the attack.

Presenting the bill, Mr Fadnavis said the government has recorded 17,682 cases till 2011 of assaults on public servants. “It has been brought to the notice of the state government that there is an increase in the number of assaults to deter a public servant from discharging his duties. The data available with the state government shows that till August 2011, about 17,682 cases have been registered under the sections 332, 333 and 353.” The three sections cover offences relating to voluntarily causing hurt to deter (a) public servant from his duty, voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter (a) public servant from his duty and assault or criminal force to deter (a) public servant from discharge of his duty.

The bill further said the existing provisions regarding punishment under sections 332 and 353 are not effective to ensure the safety of public servants and to adequately safeguard them in the discharge of their duties.