NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / Politics News / Raje rethinks shield and gag bill amid severe opposition
    Next Article
    Raje rethinks shield and gag bill amid severe opposition

    Raje rethinks shield and gag bill amid severe opposition

    By Krunali Shah
    Oct 24, 2017
    03:34 pm

    What's the story

    While facing outrage for tabling the Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the Rajasthan Assembly, CM Vasundhara Raje called a late night meeting of senior leaders who were asked to "rethink" the bill.

    The bill protects present and former public servants from investigation for on-duty action without government sanction.

    It bans the media from naming the public servant until government investigates the case.

    About

    What is the Criminal Laws Bill?

    On September 7, Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government had passed an ordinance amending the Code of Criminal Procedure. This was then tabled in the Assembly.

    This bill makes it a criminal offence to investigate and identify public servants facing corruption allegations until government sanction is obtained.

    If government does not respond within six months, sanction will be assumed.

    Violators will be imprisoned for two years.

    Reactions

    What were the reactions to the bill?

    Congress-led opposition termed it a "black bill" and staged a walkout. They also undertook a protest march to Raj Bhavan, where they were detained.

    BJP MLAs Ghanshyam Tiwari and Narpat Singh Rajvi also opposed the bill.

    Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy asked Raje's government to take back her ill-fated gag bill. He termed it a "sterile exercise" as the SC will strike it down.

    Defence

    What was the government's defense?

    The government defended the bill saying that the amendments to the bill will protect public servants from "non-substantial charges" and also protect honest public servants from inquiries by court and police.

    As public servants have to formulate policies, they require a "conducive environment." Thus, the bill "insulates" them from "everyday allegations" driven by "vested interests." This prevents "fear psychosis" and "indecision and policy paralysis."

    Ravi Shankar Prasad

    What does the Union law ministry have to say?

    Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad defended the bill saying it would stop "motivated complaints." He said "as per a survey done by the State government, 73% of the complaints against public servants turned out to be without any basis."

    As the bill is challenged in the Rajasthan HC, he didn't comment further.

    The law ministry had earlier called the bill "perfect and balanced."

    Do you know?

    What has the state government decided now?

    CM Vasundhara Raje discussed the situation with ministers Gulab Chand Kataria, Rajendra Rathore, Arun Chaturvedi, Yunus Khan and state BJP president Ashok Parnami. It was decided to review the bill. Thus, now the bill may be referred to a select committee.

    Motive

    Does this bill have some underlying motive?

    The bill may have been passed to protect public servants from the media and judiciary in the election year.

    Further, Raje might be protecting herself in the post-election years by making probes into scams impossible.

    Another theory says many bureaucrats are facing allegations of forceful occupation of "priceless land" and this government, known to be soft on bureaucrats, may be protecting them.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Rajasthan
    Vasundhara Raje
    Subramanian Swamy
    Assembly

    Latest

    Mohammad Abbas clocks his 49th five-wicket haul in FC cricket County Cricket
    IPL 2025, DC beat PBKS: Presenting Player of the Day Delhi Capitals (DC)
    'Criminal Justice' S04: Cast, plot, and release details Pankaj Tripathi
    IPL 2025, DC beat PBKS: How the Impact Players fared KL Rahul

    Rajasthan

    Mother of all frauds: Ugly abortion "sales" in Rajasthan Naveen Jain
    Rajasthan government launches mobile kitchens Tamil Nadu
    Rajasthan minister says banning tobacco 'foolish' Pankaj Chaturvedi
    Oil, gas production sharing pacts get CCEA approval Excise Act

    Vasundhara Raje

    Rajasthan- At least 23 killed as wall collapses at wedding Rajasthan
    Rajasthan IAS, IPS officers to donate one-day salary to MJSA Rajasthan
    To mark July 1, Chhattisgarh couple names newborn 'GST'! Chhattisgarh
    Amid protests, Rajasthan government shields public servants' investigation through bill Congress Party

    Subramanian Swamy

    Delhi HC says I-T Dept to investigate National Herald case Sonia Gandhi
    Arnab's Republic TV reveals web of illicit transactions by Gandhis National Herald
    Bidders okay e-auction but BCCI wary of fall in revenue! India
    Swamy claims he can prove Shah Jahan stole Taj Mahal Travel And Tourism

    Assembly

    What made news last week? Dharma Productions
    UP Elections: Parties go whole hog for the last phase Narendra Modi
    Know all about PETN, deadly explosive found in UP Assembly! Yogi Adityanath
    Nitish nod to simultaneous LS-VS polls, but no 2019 elections Bihar
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025