CrPC 1973 Amendments - Prospects and Retrospects

First of all let us understand what CrPC has to do withaccused. After getting the bail the accused can remain
the people and what does this new change brings forout of the jail but had to appear in the court to face
them. There are different categories of the laws madeproceedings.
in the system; they are broadly classified as theNow with the recent changes the power to grant bail
substantial and the procedural laws. As far as thehas been transferred to the police authorities. Further,
criminal laws are concerned we find that the Indiancourts can only serve a notice to the accused which
Penal Code (IPC) is the substantive law and themakes easy for the culprits to obtain the bail.
Criminal Procedure Code is the procedural aspect ofEFFECTS OF THE AMENDMENTS
the same. The crimes are mentioned under the IPC,These changes have multifarious effects on the
but the procedure of filing an application and get thesociety. Earlier, offenders with clout used to easily
remedy is mentioned under the CrPC.obtain the bail from court. Now it won't be possible as
Quite often we find that people file cases just tothe amendment will allow the honest police officials to
harass the other party, as a result of which the staturecarry out their duty and not only catch hold of the
of the legal standards is declining rapidly. Taking noteoffenders but also to keep them in their clutches.
of this, Government of India has proposed severalSecondly, this section incorporates the crimes which
amendments to the existing laws. But as we know,are of serious nature. But sometimes the innocent
every thing has its own good and bad sides, so is thepeople and even children get entangled in its ambit
case with these amendments too.which was a serious drawback. E.g. sometimes,
The recent amendments are proposed under sectioninnocent people who may include the juveniles were
41 and 309 of CrPC. These sections deal with thealso subjected to arrest under the laws of Dowry
arresting powers of police and powers of court toprohibition. The new amendment totally curbs this
adjourn or postpone the proceedings. Let's have a lookpractice. Another positive effect of the amendment is
to what these sections have to do with the commonthat there will be no compulsion of advocates to be
man. Section 41 tells us how police can arrest thepresent to get the bail.
person without warrant i.e. under what circumstancesThe most negative effect of this amendment is no
police can arrest the accused without obtaining theinvolvement of courts. Now the whole power has
warrant from the court. This is applicable only in thebeen transferred into the hands of police authorities
case of serious crimes. Likewise, Section 309 dealswhich are unfortunately corrupt and already have a
with the postponing of the court proceedings if thesullied image.
matter does not require the attention at once.Changes are always made for the betterment of its
Now let's see what this proposed amendment hassubjects, and they should be welcomed by one and all.
done? The government has listed the crimes in whichEqually true is the thing that people for whom we are
the sentence given is less than or equal to 7 years.designing the changes should be ready to understand
This involves crimes such as dowry, child abduction,and accept them. These amendments are neither
theft, assault, chain- snatching, pick-pocketing etc.good nor bad rather they are ahead of their time.
Previously, court had the power to grant the bail to the