Bill tabled for e-tagging habitual criminals

Bill for monitoring habitual offenders through tracking bracelet was tabled in the Sindh Assembly on Monday.

The bill has been handed over to the Standing Committee of the Home Department for consideration and recommendations.

According to the proposed draft, suspects involved in murder, attempt to murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, theft and snatching of car and motorcycle, drug trafficking will be monitored through. After the permission of the competent court, an accused will be given electronic bracelets by the police.

The draft also proposes increasing the punishments against criminals addicted to extortion and other crimes. Under Section 384 of the Penal Code of Pakistan, the sentence for extortion is three years imprisonment or a fine. Still, due to the increasing trend of extortion, the punishment has been proposed to be increased from five to seven years, and the fine has been increased. The movement of the addicted accused will be monitored through an electronic device.

Besides, after the bill's approval, Sindh Police will buy more than five thousand electric bracelets in the first phase.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2022.