Bengal govt forms panel to examine new criminal laws; Guv questions move

Kolkata: Following the announcement on Wednesday night by the West Bengal administration of the creation of a seven-member committee to examine the three new criminal legislation, Governor C.V. Ananda Bose promptly questioned the panel's goals.

"The state government is pleased hereby to constitute a committee for reviewing the said criminal laws, i.e. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanita, 2023 (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA),” read the notification released by the state government.

The office of the Governor, within an hour, issued a statement, which stated that the Governor has sought a report from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the objectives of the committee.

According to the statement, Governor Bose also reminded the Chief Minister that West Bengal cannot be a "banana republic".

"The West Bengal Governor has called upon Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to furnish an immediate report on the objectives of the committee for the review of the amended CRPC, IPC and Evidence Act. Governor wants specific report on whether the West Bengal government, has responded to the proposal on time when asked for by Govt of India," the Governor's office said.

With inputs from IANS