The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022, intends to link demographic and biometric information with the identification of citizens in an attempt to make all the natural citizens of India to be looked at as ‘suspects.’ The law is draconian and against the principle of civil liberties human right and against the tenets of Indian constitution. It is apparent that with such an Act a permanent Emergency architecture is being constructed in the country.
The Act is opposed by civil rights groups and activists for being unconstitutional. It is seen as an assault on the privacy of the citizens. The bill is a direct violation of Fundamental Rights. It is an open-ended provision that infringes on the liberties of an individual. It is an attempt to make India, a surveillance state.
The words ‘biological samples and their analysis’ in the Bill could extend to narco-analysis and brain mapping and DNA tests. This is clearly violative of Article 20 (3) of the Constitution.
06/04/2022