Multiple Criminal Codes
A Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Prof. Madhava Menon has submitted a Draft National Policy on Criminal Justice to the Government on 1st August, 2007. The Draft Policy has recommended classification of all offences under Indian Penal Code into four codes, namely,
1.Social Welfare Offences Code,
2.Correctional Offences Code,
3.Penal Code and
4.Economic Offences Code.
The Draft Policy has also recommended changes in criminal law and procedure, the institutions of police, prosecution, judiciary and prisons including correctional services etc. for streamlining the Criminal Justice System in the country. It has also been suggested that Draft Policy should identify all such crimes affecting the unity and integrity of the country and create a united National Agency to undertake prevention, investigation and prosecution of such crimes with the support and cooperation of the State machinery concerned.
The Draft Policy is being circulated to all the State Governments for their views/comments as the Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure are on the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and are administered by the State Governments. On receipt of the same, a final view will be taken by the Government on the Draft Policy.