KOLKATA: The West Bengal Assembly on Monday passed the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, paving the way for stricter action against organised anti-social activities, including provisions for preventive detention, property seizure and the confiscation of assets linked to criminal activities.The Bill was passed with 176 members voting in favour and 41 against.Speaking on the bills, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said similar legislations were already in force in several states.“Before this is implemented, let me point out that the previous government took no action. The people of Bengal have rejected you through EVM. You have managed to form an opposition, but it is not a strong one. This bill has already been introduced in several states under different names; Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand have implemented it,” he said.He also blamed the CPI(M) for introducing “goonda culture” in the state’s politics.“We witnessed how the CPIM introduced ‘goonda culture’ into Bengal’s politics. In 2001, they deployed ‘Harmads’ specifically to prevent others from gaining power through democratic means,” he added.Adhikari said the proposed law would not be misused and asserted that it was aimed at protecting public and government property.He also accused the Trinamool Congress of treating Muslims as a vote bank and referred to incidents of violence linked to protests over the NRC, CAA and Waqf issues.“Since 2019, we have seen the previous government assuring a specific community of its support. We also witnessed the murders of CPI(M) voters Haragobinda Das and Chandan Das, and the ordeals their families had to endure. People engaged in the vandalism of public and government property. We will not misuse this law. We must ensure that no damage is caused to public or private property. It is the government’s responsibility to enforce this law strictly; that is why it is essential. Since becoming Chief Minister, I have ensured that compensation is recovered. It is not merely about sending people to jail; we will also confiscate their movable and immovable assets,” Adhikari said.“The Naoda MLA (Humayun Kabir) raised communal issues before the assembly elections, and now he has started doing so again. They provided neither jobs nor amenities to Muslims, yet incited them to take to the streets. Are the NRC and the CAA the same thing? Then why did they mobilise people for protests? They organised a rally over the Waqf issue, which led to arson. If you do not wish to abide by this law, go and protest in a state governed by the INDIA alliance,” he added.According to the Bill, action can be taken against individuals or groups whose activities create fear among the public, disturb public order, threaten life and property or disrupt lawful trade and business.Illegal mining, unauthorised sand extraction and offences involving forest resources and wildlife have also been included under the definition of anti-social activities.One of the most debated provisions of the Bill is preventive detention. If the State Government or an authorised officer believes that a person’s activities may pose a threat to public safety, a detention order may be issued against that person.District Magistrates and Police Commissioners will also have the authority to issue such orders under specified circumstances.Officials said that the bill provides that notwithstanding anything contained in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every offence punishable under this Act and every wilful contravention of any lawful order made under this Act shall be cognizable and non-bailable.It also lays down procedures for informing detainees of the grounds of detention and allowing them to make representations.However, authorities may withhold information if its disclosure is considered against public interest.The proposed law also authorises officials to search, seize and confiscate property, documents and other materials linked to anti-social activities.In cases where a person absconds to evade detention, authorities may initiate court proceedings, attach property and direct the individual to appear before the authorities.Explaining the need for the legislation, the state government said existing laws had proved inadequate to deal with organised anti-social elements and that the new law was intended to strengthen the state’s ability to prevent and curb such activities.With an objective to curb these activities, to severely punish the anti-social elements, and to prevent their conspirational designs, it is considered necessary to bring in some provisions in the form of a new Bill, the government said.The Chief Minister earlier stated that the Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in the state, mirroring the frameworks adopted in Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Assam.Speaking to the media, Adhikari noted that a committee has been constituted under the leadership of a retired judge, and the specific details of the UCC would be shared in the Assembly.(With ANI inputs)
