In India, failing to walk your dog regularly could land you in serious trouble, faced with fines up to 100 rupees and a possible jail sentence of three months. This is just one of many bizarre laws under which citizens can be prosecuted. According to a new report from the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, there are 882 federal laws, with 370 featuring criminal penalties covering over 7,305 actions, ranging from the mundane to the serious.
The report claims that India's legal system suffers from "over-criminalization," with laws that often penalize regular, everyday activities. For instance, you can be charged for tethering a goat in public or failing to comply with a school attendance order. Such regulations can lead to legal action for very minor infractions, creating an overwhelming environment for citizens.
Moreover, almost 73% of the offences under these laws entail potential prison terms. While fines are common, sometimes amounting to as little as two rupees or soaring to 50 million, this framework allows for excessive legal repercussions when non-compliance occurs.
There's a noticeable inconsistency in the severity of punishments as well. The report points out that crimes like rioting only carry up to two years of imprisonment, while falsely reporting a birth or death incurs a heftier penalty.
India’s over-reliance on criminal penalties creates a burden on the justice system, contributing to over 34 million pending court cases and overcrowded prisons. With police personnel at only 154 per 100,000 citizens, it's clear that authorities are under strain.
Amid calls for reform, the government plans to eliminate criminal penalties from more than 100 laws, aiming to create a system that fosters trust rather than fear among its people. It’s a step towards decriminalizing the everyday actions of citizens while reducing the legal chaos that comes with it.
The report claims that India's legal system suffers from "over-criminalization," with laws that often penalize regular, everyday activities. For instance, you can be charged for tethering a goat in public or failing to comply with a school attendance order. Such regulations can lead to legal action for very minor infractions, creating an overwhelming environment for citizens.
Moreover, almost 73% of the offences under these laws entail potential prison terms. While fines are common, sometimes amounting to as little as two rupees or soaring to 50 million, this framework allows for excessive legal repercussions when non-compliance occurs.
There's a noticeable inconsistency in the severity of punishments as well. The report points out that crimes like rioting only carry up to two years of imprisonment, while falsely reporting a birth or death incurs a heftier penalty.
India’s over-reliance on criminal penalties creates a burden on the justice system, contributing to over 34 million pending court cases and overcrowded prisons. With police personnel at only 154 per 100,000 citizens, it's clear that authorities are under strain.
Amid calls for reform, the government plans to eliminate criminal penalties from more than 100 laws, aiming to create a system that fosters trust rather than fear among its people. It’s a step towards decriminalizing the everyday actions of citizens while reducing the legal chaos that comes with it.
