Himachal Pradesh Budget Session: Sukhu introduces Bill to tackle organised crimes in HP, brings environment violations under ambit

Further, Section 5 (1) of the Bill has a provision for life imprisonment for the person who facilitates the offence. “Whoever abets, attempts, conspires or knowingly offences, facilitates the commission of an organised crime, or otherwise engages in any act preparatory to an organised crime, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than twenty thousand but may extend to five lakh rupees,” it reads.

Introducing the Bill, Sukhu said, “Organised crimes pose a significant threat to public order, economic stability, and the overall security of society. Thus, the necessity of a dedicated legal framework to effectively address this menace was being felt. The Himachal Pradesh Organised Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025 aims to tackle organised crime, safeguarding public safety and economic stability.”

“It prescribes severe penalties, including the death penalty or life imprisonment for crimes causing death, along with heavy fines and strict prison terms for other offences. Enhanced punishments are introduced for repeat offenders to deter persistent criminal behaviour. The Bill includes provisions for seizing properties linked to crime syndicates, weakening their financial foundations,” the CM said.

The Bill also empowers officers with greater authority to investigate and seize properties suspected to be linked with crime syndicates. The legal protection is provided for officers acting in good faith during investigations. The state government is being empowered to remove difficulties in implementing the provisions of the proposed law and make rules along with the Bill that seeks to curb organised crime in Himachal Pradesh while ensuring justice and public security.

To weaken the financial networks of crime syndicates, the Bill allows immediate seizure, under which a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) can seize property linked to organised crime if there’s a risk of concealment or transfer, court orders, under which courts can issue attachment orders for properties proven to be proceeds of crime and the property disposal, under which the property is perishable or valued below Rs 10,000, courts can order its sale. Proceeds of crime may be distributed among victims or forfeited to the government.

Salient features of Bill:

• Crimes resulting in death: Punishable by death or life imprisonment, with a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh.
• Severe crimes (e.g., drug trafficking, cyber-terrorism): 2 to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment, with fines ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 10 lakh.
• Generally organised crimes: Minimum 1 year of imprisonment, extendable to life imprisonment, with a fine of at least Rs 5 lakh.
• Repeat offenders: 1.5 times the standard punishment and fine, deterring habitual criminals.
• Possession of illicit wealth: If a person holds property acquired through organised crime, they face 1 year to life imprisonment, with fines ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.