One-year detention without trial, compensation from vandaliser: Bengal Assembly passes two Bills to tackle law & order
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Bills, Acts & ordinances· Mains·
Why in news
The West Bengal Assembly passed two bills to strengthen law and order, allowing for 12-month preventive detention and financial liability for property damage during protests.
Background
The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026 proposes preventive detention for up to 12 months without trial. The West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2026 mandates financial compensation from individuals for damages caused during riots or unlawful assemblies.
Facts for Prelims
- Act / BillWest Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026: Allows preventive detention for up to 12 months.
- Act / BillWest Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2026: Imposes financial liability for property damage during public disorder.
- FactThe bills were passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in 2026.
For Mains
Q. Critically examine the balance between state security measures and individual civil liberties in the context of preventive detention and financial liability for public disorder.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Constitutional friction: Potential conflict between preventive detention and Article 21's right to personal liberty.
- Accountability mechanism: Challenges in quantifying and recovering damages from individuals during large-scale public unrest.
- Executive overreach: Risk of subjective definitions of 'anti-social activity' leading to arbitrary enforcement.
Keywords: Preventive detention · Public order · Civil liberties · Rule of law · State security
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