नूतनवर्षाभिनन्दन! सदाचार के साथ करें 2014 में नयी पहल / WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

-शीतांशु कुमार सहाय/ SHEETANSHU KUMAR SAHAY
नववर्ष 2014 के प्रथम दिवस में नवीन उत्साह और नये स्वप्नों के साथ आपका स्वागत है! ऐसे-वैसे जैसे भी हो, वर्ष 2013 बीत ही गया। नूतन उल्लास के साथ आया है 2014 जिसमें कई हसीन सितारे जड़े हैं। उन सितारों को पाने लिए, उनकी चमक-दमक को आत्मसात् करने के लिए, उसके प्रकाश से विकास का पथ प्रशस्त करने के लिए प्रयत्न तो करना ही पड़ेगा। चूँकि प्रत्येक क्षेत्र में भीड़ है, कहीं अधिक तो कहीं कम; लिहाजा लक्ष्योन्मुखी प्रयत्न करना पड़ेगा। यह प्रयत्न प्रतियोगितात्मक हो, प्रतिद्वन्द्वितात्मक नहीं। किसी से प्रतियोगिता करने का मतलब है कि हमारा प्रयत्न अपने प्रतियोगी की अपेक्षा अधिक सशक्त और अधिक लक्ष्योन्मुखी होना चाहिये। ऐसा होगा तभी सफलता मिलेगी। ऐसी सफलता स्वस्थ परम्परा का परिचायक है। प्रतियोगिता करने से परिश्रम करने की क्षमता में वृद्धि होती है। इसके विपरीत प्रतिद्वन्द्विता से द्वन्द्व अर्थात् खींचतान बढ़ती है। यह खींचतान मन में हो या किसी व्यक्ति से, दोनों ही हानिकारक हैं। किसी की सफलता या समृद्धि से जब हर्ष के बदले ईर्ष्या हो तो समझिये कि ईर्ष्या बीज रूप में मन में अंकुरित-प्रस्फुटित होकर प्रतिद्वन्द्विता को उत्पन्न कर देगी। 

नये वर्ष में लक्ष्य निश्चित करते समय यह भी निर्धारित करें कि 2014 के एक सितारे को पाने के लिए भी प्रतियोगिता के मार्ग पर ही अग्रसर होंगे, प्रतिद्वन्द्विता के मार्ग पर कदापि नहीं।     
नये स्वप्नों को साकार करने के लिए, हसीन जिन्दगी गुजारने के लिए वही करें जो अच्छा है। अच्छा वही है जिसे करने में आनन्द की अनुभूति हो और जिसका परिणाम भी व्यक्गित व सामूहिक रूप से सकारात्मक हो। यकीन मानिये कि अगर आप वो करेंगे जो आपको अच्छा नहीं लगता है तो आपको वो परिणाम मिलेगा जो आपको अच्छा नहीं लगेगा। जब आपको अच्छा नहीं लगेगा तब नये वर्ष के नये स्वप्न बिखर जायेंगे, पूरे नहीं होंगे।
अच्छाई और बुराई के बीच बहुत कम फासला है, पतले धागे-सी सीमा रेखा है इन दोनों के बीच। ये दोनों एक नहीं हो सकते, परस्पर विरोधी हैं दोनों। इनमें से एक ही को चुनना होगा। संगीत के क्षेत्र में एक कहावत प्रचलित है कि जो कलाकार सुर में नहीं है, वह असुर है। सदैव सुर में रहने वाला ही लक्ष्योन्मुखी प्रयत्न कर सकता है, लक्ष्य को प्राप्त कर सकता है। ऐसा व्यक्ति ही विकास के शिखर से शंखनाद कर दूसरों को भी सकारात्मक प्रयत्न से लक्ष्य-प्राप्ति के लिए उत्प्रेरित कर सकता है। ऐसा आप भी कर सकते हैं, बस आवश्यकता है नये संकल्प के साथ और नकारात्मक सोच को त्यागकर लगातार आगे बढ़ जाने की, बढ़ते रहने की। 
वर्ष 2014 का पहला दिन अमावस्या से आरम्भ हो रहा है। घुप्प अन्धेरी रात, जिसमें चाँद भी दिखलाई नहीं देता। ऐसे अन्धेरे को भी नकारात्मक पक्ष मत मानिये। जिसे लोग नकारात्मक मानते हैं, उस नकारात्मकता में भी आप अपने हिस्से की सकारात्मकता खोज सकते हैं। याद रखिये कि गहन अन्धकार में सूई की नोंक-सी रोशनी का लक्ष्य भी स्पष्ट दिखाई देगा जिसे प्राप्त किया जा सकता है। पर, उजाले में, चाँदनी रात में या कृत्रिम प्रकाश-व्यवस्थाओं की चकाचौंध में उक्त लक्ष्य नहीं दिखाई देगा और उसे प्राप्त करने की बात ही अलग है। उपस्थित होने वाले प्रत्येक परिदृश्य से अपने विवेक के आधार पर सकारात्मक पहलू को खोजिये और उसी के सहारे आगे बढ़ जाइये। आप देखेंगे कि नकारात्मकता पीछे, काफी पीछे छुट गयी। यों दुःख की घड़ी में भी सुख के क्षण आप खोज ही लेंगे। प्यार से थोड़ा मुस्कुरा लेंगे तो दिल का बोझ घट जायेगा- सौ बरस की जिन्दगी से अच्छे हैं प्यार के दो-चार दिन!
आप किसी भी मार्ग में जैसे ही आगे बढ़ेंगे तो कई कंटक मिलेंगे, अवरोधक मिलेंगे; उन्हें पार करना होगा- संयम, धैर्य और सूझ-बूझ से। जैसे ही धैर्य कमजोर पड़ेगा, संयम का साथ नहीं मिलेगा और जीवन के मार्ग पर चलने वाला ऐसे चौराहे पर अपने को खड़ा पायेगा, जहाँ से प्रत्येक रास्ता लक्ष्य से दूर, बहुत दूर जाता हुआ दिखाई देता है। ऐसे में पुनः धैर्य व संयम को संजोने के लिए सदाचार का साथ स्वीकारना होगा। वर्तमान परिदृश्य में अनाचार, दुराचार, भ्रष्टाचार और व्यभिचार के बीच घिरा है सदाचार। चारों ‘चार’ को जब आप नहीं स्वीकारेंगे तभी बीच वाला ‘चार’ आपके सम्मुख प्रकट होगा जिसके सहारे आप किसी भी लक्ष्य को प्राप्त कर सकते हैं, किसी भी शिखर को फतह कर सकते हैं। .....तो उत्तरोत्तर विकास की शुभकामना कीजिये स्वीकार और डूब जाइये नववर्ष के उल्लास में!

नववर्ष 2014 की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ, भगवान हनुमान की कृपा आप पर बनी रहे / HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

प्रस्तुति- शीतांशु कुमार सहाय
भगवान हनुमान आप सबको पूरे वर्ष प्रसन्न रखें। सपरिवार आप खुशहाल रहें, यही मेरी मनोकामना है! पाठ करें हनुमान चालीसा, बजरंग बाण, संकटमोचन हनुमानाष्टक का।

हनुमान चालीसा

दोहा :
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि।
बरनऊं रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार।
बल बुद्धि बिद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस बिकार॥

चौपाई :
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुं लोक उजागर॥
रामदूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा। कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै। कांधे मूंज जनेऊ साजै।
संकर सुवन केसरीनंदन। तेज प्रताप महा जग बन्दन॥
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
भीम रूप धरि असुर संहारे। रामचंद्र के काज संवारे॥
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
भीम रूप धरि असुर संहारे। रामचंद्र के काज संवारे॥
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये॥
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥
तुम्हरो मंत्र बिभीषन माना। लंकेस्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू। लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रक्षक काहू को डर ना॥
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हांक तें कांपै॥
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै। महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा।
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोइ अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता। अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम-जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
अन्तकाल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहाँ जन्म हरि-भक्त कहाई॥
और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई॥
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
जै जै जै हनुमान गोसाईं। कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई। छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ हृदय मंह डेरा॥
दोहा :
पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप।
राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥

बजरंग बाण

दोहा :
निश्चय प्रेम प्रतीति ते, बिनय करैं सनमान।
तेहि के कारज सकल शुभ, सिद्ध करैं हनुमान॥

चौपाई :
जय हनुमंत संत हितकारी। सुन लीजै प्रभु अरज हमारी॥
जन के काज बिलंब न कीजै। आतुर दौरि महा सुख दीजै॥
जैसे कूदि सिंधु महिपारा। सुरसा बदन पैठि बिस्तारा॥
आगे जाय लंकिनी रोका। मारेहु लात गई सुरलोका॥
जाय बिभीषन को सुख दीन्हा। सीता निरखि परमपद लीन्हा॥
बाग उजारि सिंधु महं बोरा। अति आतुर जमकातर तोरा॥
अक्षय कुमार मारि संहारा। लूम लपेटि लंक को जारा॥
लाह समान लंक जरि गई। जय जय धुनि सुरपुर नभ भई॥
अब बिलंब केहि कारन स्वामी। कृपा करहु उर अंतरयामी॥
जय जय लखन प्रान के दाता। आतुर ह्वै दुख करहु निपाता॥
जै हनुमान जयति बल-सागर। सुर-समूह-समरथ भट-नागर॥
ॐ हनु हनु हनु हनुमंत हठीले। बैरिहि मारु बज्र की कीले॥
ॐ ह्नीं ह्नीं ह्नीं हनुमंत कपीसा। ॐ हुं हुं हुं हनु अरि उर सीसा॥
जय अंजनि कुमार बलवंता। शंकरसुवन बीर हनुमंता॥
बदन कराल काल-कुल-घालक। राम सहाय सदा प्रतिपालक॥
भूत, प्रेत, पिसाच निसाचर। अगिन बेताल काल मारी मर॥
इन्हें मारु, तोहि सपथ राम की। राखु नाथ मरजाद नाम की॥
सत्य होहु हरि सपथ पाइ कै। राम दूत धरु मारु धाइ कै॥
जय जय जय हनुमंत अगाधा। दुख पावत जन केहि अपराधा॥
पूजा जप तप नेम अचारा। नहिं जानत कछु दास तुम्हारा॥
बन उपबन मग गिरि गृह माहीं। तुम्हरे बल हौं डरपत नाहीं॥
जनकसुता हरि दास कहावौ। ताकी सपथ बिलंब न लावौ॥
जै जै जै धुनि होत अकासा। सुमिरत होय दुसह दुख नासा॥
चरन पकरि, कर जोरि मनावौं। यहि औसर अब केहि गोहरावौं॥
उठु, उठु, चलु, तोहि राम दुहाई। पायं परौं, कर जोरि मनाई॥
ॐ चं चं चं चं चपल चलंता। ॐ हनु हनु हनु हनु हनुमंता॥
ॐ हं हं हांक देत कपि चंचल। ॐ सं सं सहमि पराने खल-दल॥
अपने जन को तुरत उबारौ। सुमिरत होय आनंद हमारौ॥
यह बजरंग-बाण जेहि मारै। ताहि कहौ फिरि कवन उबारै॥
पाठ करै बजरंग-बाण की। हनुमत रक्षा करै प्रान की॥
यह बजरंग बाण जो जापैं। तासों भूत-प्रेत सब कापैं॥
धूप देय जो जपै हमेसा। ताके तन नहिं रहै कलेसा॥

दोहा :
उर प्रतीति दृढ़, सरन ह्वै, पाठ करै धरि ध्यान।
बाधा सब हर, करैं सब काम सफल हनुमान॥

संकटमोचन हनुमानाष्टक

बाल समय रबि भक्षि लियो तब तीनहुँ लोक भयो अँधियारो।
ताहि सों त्रास भयो जग को यह संकट काहु सों जात न टारो।
देवन आनि करी बिनती तब छाँड़ि दियो रबि कष्ट निवारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥१॥

बालि की त्रास कपीस बसै गिरि जात महाप्रभु पंथ निहारो।
चौंकि महा मुनि साप दियो तब चाहिय कौन बिचार बिचारो।
कै द्विज रूप लिवाय महाप्रभु सो तुम दास के सोक निवारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥२॥

अंगद के सँग लेन गये सिय खोज कपीस यह बैन उचारो।
जीवत ना बचिहौ हम सो जु बिना सुधि लाए इहाँ पगु धारो।
हेरि थके तट सिंधु सबै तब लाय सिया-सुधि प्रान उबारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥३॥

रावन त्रास दई सिय को सब राक्षसि सों कहि सोक निवारो।
ताहि समय हनुमान महाप्रभु जाय महा रजनीचर मारो।
चाहत सीय असोक सों आगि सु दै प्रभु मुद्रिका सोक निवारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥४॥

बान लग्यो उर लछिमन के तब प्रान तजे सुत रावन मारो।
लै गृह बैद्य सुषेन समेत तबै गिरि द्रोन सु बीर उपारो।
आनि सजीवन हाथ दई तब लछिमन के तुम प्रान उबारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥५॥

रावन जुद्ध अजान कियो तब नाग कि फाँस सबै सिर डारो।
श्रीरघुनाथ समेत सबै दल मोह भयो यह संकट भारो।
आनि खगेस तबै हनुमान जु बंधन काटि सुत्रास निवारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥६॥

बंधु समेत जबै अहिरावन लै रघुनाथ पताल सिधारो।
देबिहिं पूजि भली बिधि सों बलि देउ सबै मिलि मंत्र बिचारो।
जाय सहाय भयो तब ही अहिरावन सैन्य समेत सँहारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥७॥

काज कियो बड़ देवन के तुम बीर महाप्रभु देखि बिचारो।
कौन सो संकट मोर गरीब को जो तुमसों नहिं जात है टारो।
बेगि हरो हनुमान महाप्रभु जो कुछ संकट होय हमारो।
को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो॥८॥
दोहा
लाल देह लाली लसे अरू धरि लाल लँगूर।
बज्र देह दानव दलन जय जय जय कपि सूर॥

आमी की शक्तिपीठ माँ अम्बिका भवानी मन्दिर

-शीतांशु कुमार सहाय
माँ अम्बिका भवानी का मन्दिर बिहार के सारण जिले के दिघवारा में स्थित आमी गाँव में है। विश्व में केवल यहीं माँ आदिशक्ति का मिट्टी का ‘शक्ति पिण्ड’ है। इतिहासकार इसे प्रागैतिहासिक काल का मानते हैं। इस मन्दिर पर मैं एक शोधपरक पुस्तक की रचना कर रहा हूँ जिसका प्रकाशन 2014 में होगा। पाठकों व मित्रों के लिए मैं यहाँ माँ अम्बिका भवानी की ‘शक्ति पिण्ड’ का चित्र प्रस्तुत कर रहा हूँ। माँ आपके लिए नये वर्ष 2014 को अपार प्रसन्नता से भर दें, यही कामना है!

योग-साधना व जप-तप के लिए यह क्षेत्र उत्तम माना जाता है। दूर-दूर के सन्त यहाँ अध्यात्म का गूढ़ रहस्य तपस्या करके जानने-समझने आते हैं।

दिल्ली के मुख्यमंत्री अरविंद केजरीवाल के सामने हैं 12 चुनौतियाँ

गाजियाबाद के ‘कौशाम्बी’ स्थित आम आदमी पार्टी के मुख्यालय से अपने समर्थकों के साथ मैट्रो ट्रेन द्वारा रामलीला मैदान में मुख्यमंत्री पद का शपथ लेने पहुँचे अरविन्द केजरीवाल। मैट्रो स्टेशन से बाहर आने का दृश्य।

-शीतांशु कुमार सहाय
केजरीवाल शनिवार को सुबह 10.45 बजे शपथ ग्रहण के लिए अपने गाजियाबाद के कौशांबी स्थित आवास से बाहर निकले। वह यहां से रामलीला मैदान पहुंचने के लिए मेट्रो स्टेशन की ओर बढ़े। उनके आवास के बाहर मीडियाकर्मियों का हुजूम उमड़ा था। इससे बचने के लिए वह पिछले दरवाजे से अपनी वैगनआर कार से कौशांबी मेट्रो स्टेशन पहुंचे। वहां कार्यकर्ताओं का भारी हुजूम उनके स्वागत में मौजूदा था। केजरीवाल ने अपने स्मार्टकार्ड का उपयोग कर स्टेशन में प्रवेश किया। केजरीवाल की पत्नी सुनीता अपने बच्चों हर्षिता और पुलकित और 'आप' नेता मनीष सिसोदिया के परिजनों के साथ अन्य कोच में सवार थीं। कौशांबी से बाराखंबा रोड मेट्रो स्टेशन तक के 11 स्टेशनों पर भीड़ की वजह से कई यात्री इस मेट्रो में सवार होने से वंचित रह गए। केजरीवाल ने इस आधे घंटे के सफर में किसी से कोई खास बातचीत नहीं की। बाराखंबा पहुंचने पर लोगों ने मानव श्रृंखला बनाई जिससे केजरीवाल को बाहर निकलने में मदद मिल सके। इसके बाद वह कार से रामलीला मैदान के लिए रवाना हो गए।
अरविंद केजरीवाल---
रामलीला मैदान में शनिवार 28 दिसम्बर 2013 को शपथ लेने के बाद मुख्यमंत्री अरविंद केजरीवाल राजघाट जाकर बापू की समाधि के आगे नमन किया। राजघाट पर उनके साथ सभी मंत्री और भारी तादाद में आम लोग मौजूद रहे। इससे ठीक बाद दिल्ली सचिवालय पहुंचे और मुख्यमंत्री का कार्यभार संभाला। पैंट के साथ बाहर करके पहनी गई आधी बाजू की ढीली ढाली शर्ट, काली मूंछों वाला एक नाटे कद का साधारण सा दिखने वाला आदमी। जो कभी ट्रेन का इंतजार करता प्लेटफॉर्म पर जमीन पर सोते नजर आता, तो कभी ऑटो के लिए सड़क पर इंतजार करता। लोग 45 साल के इस शख्स को अरविंद केजरीवाल के नाम से जानते हैं। जो कभी इनकम टैक्स विभाग में अधिकारी हुआ करता था लेकिन साधारण सी कद काठी वाला यह शख्स कब दिल्ली की सबसे ताकतवर कुर्सी का दावेदार बन गया, यह बाकी पार्टियों को पता भी नहीं चला। हरियाणा के भिवानी जिले के सीवानी मंडी में 16 अगस्त 1968 को गोविंद राम केजरीवाल और गीता देवी के घर जन्माष्टमी के दिन अरविंद का जन्म हुआ, इसीलिए घरवाले प्यार से उन्हें किशन भी बुलाते हैं। हिसार से ही अरविंद ने अपनी हाईस्कूल तक की पढ़ाई पूरी की। देश के नामी भारतीय प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान, खड़गपुर से मैकेनिकल इंजीनियरिंग करने के बाद केजरीवाल ने कुछ समय टाटा स्टील में नौकरी की। वह वर्ष 1989 में टाटा स्टील से जुड़े और वर्ष 1992 में कंपनी को अलविदा कह दिया। उन्होंने कुछ समय कोलकाता के रामकृष्णन आश्रम और नेहरू युवा केन्द्र में बिताया। यूपीएससी में इंटरव्यू देने से पहले अरविंद केजरीवाल कोलकाता गए थे। कोलकाता में उनकी मुलाकात मदर टेरेसा से हुई। अरविंद ने कालीघाट पर काम किया और शायद यहीं से उन्हें दूसरों के लिए जीने का नजरिया मिला। 1995 में अरविंद इंडियन रेवेन्यू सर्विस के लिये चुने गये थे। ट्रेनिंग के बाद दिल्ली में इनकम टैक्स डिपार्टमेंट में अस्सिटेंट कमिश्नर बने। लेकिन यहां भी अपने लिये उन्होंने खुद नियम बनाये। वो नियम थे, अपनी टेबल को खुद साफ करना, डस्टबिन की गंदगी को खुद हटाना, किसी काम के लिये चपरासी का इस्तेमाल नहीं करना। इनकम टैक्स डिपार्टमेंट में नौकरी करते हुये ही केजरीवाल ने डिपार्टमेंट में भ्रष्टाचार कम करने की मुहिम शुरु कर दी थी।

माता गीता देवी, पिता गोविन्द राम केजरीवाल, पत्नी सुनीता, पुत्र व पुत्री के साथ दिल्ली के मुख्यमंत्री अरविन्द केजरीवाल। 

सुनीता से विवाह---
इंडियन रेवेन्यू सर्विस (आईआरएस) के प्रशिक्षण के दौरान ही अरविंद केजरीवाल ने अपनी बैचमेट सुनीता से विवाह किया। केजरीवाल के एक पुत्र और एक पुत्री है।
'परिवर्तन' के जरिए परिवर्तन---
वर्ष 2000 में अरविंद केजरीवाल ने 'परिवर्तन' नाम के एक एनजीओ की शुरुआत की। बैनर-पोस्टर छपवाये जिन पर लिखा था-- 'रिश्वत मत दीजिये, काम न हो तो हमसे संपर्क कीजिये।' परिवर्तन के जरिए उन्होंने देशभर में सूचना के अधिकार का अभियान चलाया। बिल बेशक केंद्र सरकार ने पारित किया हो लेकिन जनता के बीच जाकर उन्हें जागृत करने का जिम्मा अरविंद और उनके परिवर्तन ने उठाया। अरविंद को 'राइट टू इन्फॉरमेशन' (सूचना का अधिकार ) पर काम के लिये एशिया का नोबल पुरस्कार कहा जाने वाला मैग्सेसे अवार्ड मिला। परिवर्तन की लड़ाई का ही अगला चरण था जनलोकपाल। यह सिलसिला बढ़ता गया और केजरीवाल ने फरवरी 2006 में नौकरी से इस्तीफा दे दिया और पूरे समय के लिए सिर्फ परिवर्तन में ही काम करने लगे। इसके बाद देश में शुरू हुआ भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ सबसे बड़ा आंदोलन। आंदोलन को जनसमर्थन तो पूरा मिला, लेकिन जनलोकपाल बिल नहीं बन पाया। केजरीवाल ने राजनीति में आने का फैसला किया। यहीं से अन्ना हजारे और केजरीवाल के रास्ते अलग हो गए, लेकिन केजरीवाल अन्ना के बिना भी आगे बढ़ते गए।
आम आदमी पार्टी अस्तित्व में---
26 नवंबर 2012 में केजरीवाल की आम आदमी पार्टी अस्तित्व में आई। महज एक साल पहले पैदा हुई आम आदमी पार्टी ने दिल्ली में काबिज कांग्रेस और बीजेपी को कड़ी टक्कर दी। केजरीवाल ने मुख्यमंत्री शीला दीक्षित के खिलाफ चुनाव लड़ने की घोषणा करके सबको चौंका दिया। राजनीतिक पंडित उनके इस फैसले को लेकर अचंभित हो गए। ऐसी चर्चा होने लगी कि केजरीवाल ने अपना राजनीतिक सफर शुरू होने से पहले ही खत्म कर लिया, लेकिन दिसम्बर में हुए विधानसभा चुनाव में उन्होंने सभी को आश्चर्यचकित कर दिया। उन्होंने नई दिल्ली विधानसभा सीट से दीक्षित को 23 हजार से अधिक मतों से पराजित कया और उनकी पार्टी ने 70 सदस्यीय विधानसभा में 28 सीटें हासिल की। केजरीवाल ने 'स्वराज' नाम से एक पुस्तक भी लिखी है। यह पुस्तक 2012 में प्रकाशित हुई।

शनिवार 28 दिसम्बर 2013 को दिल्ली के मुख्यमंत्री के रूप में शपथ लेते अरविंद केजरीवाल

अरविंद केजरीवाल के सामने 12 चुनौतियाँ---
आम आदमी पार्टी (आप) ने अपने चुनावी घोषणा पत्र में ऐसे वादे किए हैं जिन्हें पूरा कर पाना उसके लिए चुनौती साबित होगी। इनमें से 12 वादे हैं---
1-भ्रष्टाचार से निपटने के लिए सत्ता में आने के 15 दिन के भीतर जन लोकपाल विधेयक पारित। इसके दायरे में सभी कर्मचारी होंगे।
2-करीब 3,000 मोहल्ला सभाओं की स्थापना की जाएगी। जहां लोग तय करेंगे कि उनको अपने इलाके में क्या चाहिए -पार्क, स्ट्रीट लाइट, अस्पताल या और कुछ।
3-सरकारी काम के लिए पैसे का भुगतान केवल मुहल्ला सभाओं के काम के संतुष्ट होने के बाद किया जाएगा।
4-बिजली का बिल आधा किया जाएगा और निजी वितरण कंपनियों का आडिट होगा। बढ़ा हुआ बिल सुधारा जाएगा और यदि बिजली वितरण कंपनियां सहयोग नहीं करेंगी तो उनका लाइसेंस रद्द कर दिया जाएगा।
5-दो लाख सामुदायिक और सार्वजनिक शौचालय बनाए जाएंगे।
6-जो परिवार महीने में 700 लीटर पानी खर्च करेंगे उनसे कोई बिल नहीं वसूला जाएगा। जिन घरेलू उपभोक्ताओं को नवंबर 2013 तक अधिक बिल मिला है उनका भुगतान करने की जरूरत नहीं है।
7-दिल्ली पुलिस, दिल्ली विकास प्राधिकरण और नगर निगमों को दिल्ली सरकार के अधिकार के दायरे में लाया जाएगा।
8-अल्पसंख्यकों का संरक्षण होगा और फर्जी एनकाउंटर तथा मुस्लिम युवाओं के खिलाफ फर्जी मामले बंद होंगे।
9-कोई भी सरकारी अधिकारी अगर भ्रष्टाचार में लिप्त पाया गया तो उसे बर्खास्त किया जाएगा, उसे जेल भेजा जाएगा और उसकी संपत्ति जब्त होगी।
10-अशोक खेमका और दुर्गाशक्ति नागपाल जैसे ईमानदार अधिकारियों को प्रोत्साहित और संरक्षित किया जाएगा।
11-हर वार्ड में नागरिक सुरक्षा बल बनाया जाएगा जो संकट में फंसे हर व्यक्ति की मदद करेगा।
12-अगर दिल्ली सरकार वादी होगी तो न्यायालय में कोई भी मामला स्थगित नहीं किया जाएगा।

अपने मंत्रियों के साथ मुख्यमंत्री अरविन्द केजरीवाल। 

अरविंद केजरीवाल का मंत्रिमंडल---
मुख्यमंत्री अरविंद केजरीवाल ने शनिवार 28 दिसम्बर 2013 को अपने मंत्रिमंडल के 6 सहयोगियों में विभागों का बंटवारा कर दिया और गृह, वित्त, बिजली और गुप्तचर जैसे प्रमुख विभाग अपने पास रखे। मुख्यमंत्री योजना, सेवा और वह अन्य तमाम विभाग अपने पास रखेंगे जो किसी मंत्री को आवंटित नहीं किए गए हैं।
1. मनीष सिसोदिया---
केजरीवाल के सबसे नजदीक समझे जाने वाले मनीष सिसोदिया को राजस्व, लोक निर्माण विभाग, शहरी विकास, शिक्षा, उच्च शिक्षा, स्थानीय निकाय और भूमि एवं भवन विभाग दिया गया है।
2. सोमनाथ भारती---
आईआईटी दिल्ली से स्नातकोत्तर सोमनाथ भारती प्रशासनिक सुधार, कानून, पर्यटन और संस्कृति का प्रभार संभालेंगे।
3. राखी बिड़ला---
केजरीवाल मंत्रिमंडल की सबसे कम उम्र मंत्री राखी बिड़ला को समाज कल्याण और महिला एवं बाल विकास विभाग सौंपे गए हैं। उन्हें महिलाओं की सुरक्षा बढ़ाने के लिए जरूरी उपाय तैयार करने का अतिरिक्त प्रभार भी सौंपा गया है।
4. गिरीश सोनी---
गिरीश सोनी को श्रम, कौशल निर्माण और अनुसूचित जाति अनुसूचित जनजाति विभाग दिए गए हैं।
5. सत्येन्द्र जैन---
सत्येन्द्र जैन को स्वास्थ्य, उद्योग और गुरुद्वारा चुनाव का प्रभारी बनाया गया है।
6. सौरभ भारद्वाज---
सौरभ भारद्वाज को दिल्‍ली का परिवहन मंत्री बनाया गया है।

मंत्रिमंडल की पहली बैठक में फैसला---
दिल्ली मंत्रिमंडल की पहली बैठक में फैसला हुआ कि दिल्ली सरकार का कोई भी मंत्री और अधिकारी वाहन पर लाल बत्ती नही लगाएगा। इसके अलावा सभी मंत्रियों के सचिवों को बदलने का भी फैसला लिया गया। राजेंद्र कुमार को नया प्रमुख सचिव बनाया गया।

झारखण्ड : 2013 में कम हुई नक्सली घटनाएँ, मुठभेड़ अधिक

-एसपी अमरजीत बलिहार सहित 26 पुलिसकर्मी हुए शहीद
शीतांशु कुमार सहाय/Sheetanshu Kumar Sahay
वर्ष 2013 में झारखंड पुलिस ने नक्सलियों के खिलाफ कार्रवाई में कई बड़ी सफलताएँ हासिल कीं। वहीं, पाकुड़ जिले के आरक्षी अधीक्षक (एसपी) अमरजीत बलिहार के साथ-साथ 26 पुलिस जवानों की कुर्बानी देनी पड़ी। पूरे वर्ष में नक्सलियों ने जहाँ घात लगाकर पुलिस दल पर हमला करने की पाँच बड़ी घटनाओं को अंजाम दिया। वहीं पुलिस दल ने मुठभेड़ की 62 घटनाओं में 49 नक्सलियों को मौत के घाट उतारा। पिछले वर्ष नक्सलियो द्वारा पुलिस दल पर हमले की आठ घटनाओं को अंजाम दिया था और पुलिस के साथ हुए 46 मुठभेड़ की घटनाओं में 40 नक्सलियों की जान गयी थी। इन मुठभेड़ों में 26 पुलिस वाले भी शहीद हुए थे। 2012 के मुकाबले 2013 में नक्सली घटनाओं में कमी दर्ज की गयी है। 2012 में 374 नक्सली घटनाएँ हुई थीं। 2013 में यह संख्या घटकर 328 हो गयी।
नक्सली और पुलिस दोनों आक्रामक--
वर्ष 2013 में नक्सलियों ने पाकुड़ के एसपी अमरजीत बलिहार की 2 जुलाई को हत्या कर दी। राज्य गठन के बाद नक्सलियों द्वारा किसी आइपीएस अधिकारी की हत्या की यह पहली घटना है। नक्सलियों ने राज्य गठन से कुछ माह पहले लोहरदगा के तत्कालीन एसपी अजय कुमार सिंह की हत्या की थी। सिर्फ इतना ही नहीं इस वर्ष नक्सलियों ने 26 पुलिसकर्मियों की हत्या की। इससे तय है कि पुलिस को नक्सलियों ने बड़ा नुकसान पहुँचाया है। वहीं दूसरी तरफ इसी वर्ष 49 नक्सली भी मारे गये। इनमें से 17 को पुलिस ने मुठभेड़ में मार गिराया, जबकि दो नक्सलियों को आमलोगों ने मारा, 30 नक्सली आपसी लड़ाई में मारे गये। इससे साफ है कि नक्सली और पुलिस दोनों ही आक्रामक हुए हैं।
नक्सलियों के खिलाफ ऑपरेशन-- 
नवंबर माह में नक्सलियों ने लातेहार में पुलिस को ज्यादा परेशान किया। नक्सलियों के खिलाफ पुलिस कार्रवाई की बात करें, तो पुलिस ने पिछले वर्ष की तुलना में ज्यादा स्पेशल ऑपरेशन या इंटर स्टेट ऑपरेशन चलाया। लेकिन लांग रेंज पेट्रोलिंग (एलआरपी) में कमी आयी है। इस वर्ष पीएलएफआइ का बढ़ता प्रभाव पुलिस की सबसे बड़ी चिंता रही।
माओवादी और पीएलएफआइ--
इस वर्ष के आँकड़े के मुताबिक, नवंबर माह तक हुए कुल नक्सली-उग्रवादी घटनाओं में भाकपा माओवादी और पीएलएफआइ की बराबर की भागीदारी रही। दोनों संगठनों ने 107-107 घटनाओं को अंजाम दिया है। नक्सली घटनाओं को नियंत्रित करने के लिए पुलिस द्वारा बनायी जाने वाली रणनीति के तहत दूसरे राज्यों की पुलिस के साथ 10 बार बैठकें हुईं। 14 संयुक्त अभियान चलाये गये। इस दौरान 550 विशेष अभियान भी चलाये गये।

3 जुलाई 2013 को शहीद आरक्षी अधीक्षक अमरजीत बलिहार को श्रद्धांजलि देते झारखंड के राज्यपाल सैयद अहमद

झारखण्ड : 13 वर्षों के इतिहास में 2013 में मामलों के निष्पादन में निगरानी ब्यूरो ने बनाया कीर्तिमान

शीतांशु कुमार सहाय/ Sheetanshu Kumar Sahay
झारखण्ड राज्य गठन के बाद से झारखंड निगरानी ब्यूरो द्वारा वर्ष 2013 के दौरान मामलों के निष्पादन में एक नया कीर्तिमान बनाया है। ब्यूरो ने इस वर्ष अबतक 97 मामलों का निष्पादन किया है। शेष बची अवधि में 30 अन्य मामलों का निष्पादन होने की संभावना है। इस स्थिति में कुल निष्पादित मामलों की संख्या 127 हो जायेगी। यह संख्या राज्य गठन के बाद अबतक किसी भी एक वर्ष में निष्पादित किये गये मामलों में सबसे ज्यादा है। 2012 में घूसखोरी सहित अपराध के कुल 42 मामले पकड़े गये जबकि 40 मामलों की जाँच का निष्पादन किया गया। दोनों को लेकर कुल 82 मामलों का निष्पादन किया गया जबकि 2013 में 20 दिसंबर तक ट्रैप के 26 कांड दर्ज किये गये और जाँच के 51 (कुल 97) मामलों को निष्पादन किया गया। वर्ष 2013 की शेष अवधि में 30 और मामलों की जाँच के निष्पादन होने की संभावना है। आलोच्य वर्ष 2013 में लंबित कांडों व जाँच के निष्पादन में गुणात्मक वृद्धि दर्ज की गयी है।
घूस लेने के कांड-- 
निगरानी ब्यूरो ने 2013 में घूस लेने के 26 कांड अंकित किये और इनमें 28 लोगों को गिरफ्तार किया। गिरफ्तार लोगों में अधीक्षण अभियन्ता, कार्यपालक अभियन्ता, जिला मत्स्य पदाधिकारी, कोषागार पदाधिकारी, चिकित्सा पदाधिकारी सहित अन्य सरकारी कर्मचारी शामिल हैं।
घूसखोरों से नकद बरामदगी--
घूसखोरों के पास से 2013 में निगरानी ने 5 लाख 89 हजार 300 रुपये बरामद किये। घर और अन्य स्थानों से 22 लाख 32 हजार 210 रुपये जब्त किये गये। वर्ष 2012 में कुल बरामद 9 लाख 58 हजार 885 रुपये और 2011 में 67 हजार 800 रुपये बरामद किये गये थे। इसी प्रकार बरामद की गयी नकद राशि में कई गुणा वृद्धि हुई है।
बरामद का विवरण (वर्ष 2013)
1. कुल ट्रैप राशि: 5 लाख 89 हजार 300 रुपये।
ट्रैप राशि के अलावा नकद बरामदगी
2. कांड संख्या 01/2013 में 6 लाख 59 हजार रुपये।
3. कांड संख्या 02/2013 में 4 लाख 90 हजार रुपये।
4. कांड संख्या 07/2013 में 16 हजार 500 रुपये।
5. कांड संख्या 24/2013 में 4 लाख 77 हजार 410 रुपये।

बरामद का विवरण (वर्ष 2012) 
1. कुल ट्रैप राशि एक लाख 94 हजार 500 रुपये।
ट्रैप राशि के अलावा नकद बरामदगी
2. कांड संख्या 13/2012 में 7 लाख 64 हजार 385 रुपये।

अन्दर की खुशी को बाहर की दुनिया में मत खोजो : स्वामी राधानाथ / SWAMI RADHANATH

-शीतांशु कुमार सहाय/ SHEETANSHU KUMAR SAHAY
सत्य और ईश्वर की खोज में निकले स्वामी राधानाथ ने कहा कि भारत में उन्हें वह सबकुछ मिला, जो सपने में भी उन्होंने कभी नहीं सोचा था। 
एक अमेरिकी स्वामी राधानाथ ने मंगलवार 24 दिसम्बर 2013 को झारखण्ड की राजधानी राँची में कहा कि सारे ऐशो-आराम को छोड़कर भारत के हिमालय के गुफाओं-कंदराओं और वृन्दावन के आश्रम में उन्हें वह सबकुछ मिला जिसकी परिकल्पना भी उन्होंने कभी नहीं की थी। उन्होंने बताया कि 1973 में जब वे सारे जगह को घूम कर वापस लौटे तो जीवन यात्रा वृत्तान्त लिखने के लिए सैकड़ों लोगों ने आग्रह किया लेकिन दो-तीन कारणों से उन्होंने इसे लिखने से प्रारंभ में मना कर दिया। पहला कारण था कि अपने ऊपर ही किताब लिखने की धृष्टता वह नहीं करना चाहते थे, दूसरी बात यह थी कि अपने यात्रा वृत्तान्त की सच्ची कहानी पर लोगों को विश्वास नहीं होता और तीसरा कारण वह खुद भी एक लेखक नहीं थे। इसी बीच भक्तिदत्त स्वामी जो मृत्यु शय्या पर थे, उन्होंने पुस्तक लिखने का आग्रह किया। तब उन्होंने पुस्तक ’द जर्नी होम’ लिखा। रांची में ही 24 दिसम्बर 2013 को अमेरिकी संन्यासी राधानाथ स्वामी द्वारा लिखित पुस्तक ’द जर्नी होम’ का हिन्दी संस्करण ’अनोखा सफर’ का विमोचन किया गया।
-रिचर्ड बना 'स्वामी राधानाथ'
भारत की संस्कृति एक महासागर है जिसमें सारी दुनिया की संस्कृतियों का समावेश है। यह तथ्य 1950 में अमेरिका के शिकागो में एक सम्पन्न यहूदी परिवार में जन्में रिचर्ड (रिची) को तब समझ में आया जब उसने 19 वर्ष की उम्र में गृहत्याग कर आध्यात्मिक सफर की शुरूआत की। आज भारत का युवा पश्चिम की चमक-दमक से चकाचैंध है। डीजे, डिस्को, ड्रग्स, सैक्स व उपभोगतावाद के जाल में उलझता जा रहा है। दूसरी तरफ रिचर्ड ने 19 वर्ष की आयु में संपन्नता के शिखर पर बैठे अमेरिकी समाज को छोड़ा था तो वहां संपन्नता से उकताये युवा हिप्पी बन रहे थे। रिचर्ड भी बन सकता था। पर, उसे तलाश थी जीवन के ध्येय की जो उसे मिला भारत की सनातन संस्कृति में। अमेरिका से यूरोप और यूरोप से पश्चिम एशिया का 6 महीने तक रोमांच, अवसाद और खतरों से भरा सफर करते हुए रिचर्ड पाकिस्तान की ओर से भारत में प्रवेश करने के लिए बाघा सीमा पर पहुंचा। वहां भारत के आव्रजन अधिकारी ने धूल-धूसरित फटेहाल अमेरिकी नौजवान रिचर्ड से कहा-  ''भारत में पहले ही बहुत भिखारी हैं, मैं तुम्हें प्रवेश नहीं दूंगा।'' कुछ घंटे बाद जब उसकी ड्यूटी बदली तो एक उम्रदार सरदार जी ड्यूटी पर आए। उन्होंने रिचर्ड की प्रार्थना सुनकर उसे भारत में आने दिया जिसके बाद कई वर्षों तक बिना पैसे के अयाचक भाव से देशभर में घम-घूम कर भारत की आध्यात्मिक परंपराओं का नजदीकी अध्ययन किया। देश संतों से सत्संग किया और अंत में भक्तियोग का मार्ग अपना लिया। उसका नाम हुआ 'स्वामी राधानाथ'। आज स्वामी राधारानाथ का प्रचार क्षेत्र पूरा विश्व है। रिचर्ड (रिची) से राधानाथ स्वामी तक का अनोखा सफर बहुत रोमांचकारी था जिसे 40 वर्ष बाद 2010 में स्वामी जी ने ‘द जर्नी होम’ या ‘अनोखा सफर’ नाम से प्रकाशित अपनी पुस्तकों में लिखा।

-प्रार्थना से प्राप्ति
स्वामी राधानाथ ने ईश्वर की खोज में पग-पग पर मौत का सामना किया और प्रार्थना के बल पर ही विपरीत परिस्थितियों को भी अनुकूल बनाया। अपराध पर नियन्त्रण को लेकर देश में कई कानून बने, इसके बावजूद लगातार घटनाएँ हो रही हैं। ऐसी स्थिति में जब तक नैतिक मूल्यों को महत्त्व नहीं दिया जायेगा, तब तक स्थिति में कोई बदलाव नहीं आयेगा।
-भगवान खोजने की कहानी ‘अनोखा सफर’
स्वामी राधानाथ ने बताया कि यह एक ऐसी पुस्तक है, जिसमें भगवान खोजने की कहानी है। यह पुस्तक लोगों को प्रेरणा देगी, ऐसी उम्मीद है। उन्होंने कहा कि लोगों के हृदय में ही सबसे बड़ा खजाना छिपा है लेकिन लोग अन्दर की खुशी को बाहर की दुनिया में खोज रहे हैं। उन्होंने कहा कि मन, बुद्धि व अन्य चीजें उड़ती खुशियां दे सकती है, सच्ची खुशी तो प्रेम के अनुभव से ही प्राप्त होगी। ‘अनोखा सफर’ एक ऐसी सम-सामायिक पुस्तक है जिसे पढ़कर भारत के युवा भारत की सनातन संस्कृति में ही अपनी कुंठाओं के हल खोज सकते हैं। 336 पृष्ठों की यह पुस्तक सरल भाषा में लिखी गयी है। पाठक को लगता है कि वह रोमांचक यात्रा कर रहा है। स्वामी राधारानाथ ने इस्लाम, ईसाइयत, बौद्ध, तांत्रिक व औघड़, हठयोग जैसी अनेक आध्यात्मिक धाराओं का अनुभव किया जिसे खूबसूरती से इस पुस्तक में जड़ दिया। राधारानाथ ने भारत की सनातन संस्कृति की श्रेष्ठता को पुस्तक अनोखा सफर में प्रस्तुत कर दिया। स्वामी राधारानाथ ने संजीदगी और संवेदनशीलता के साथ कृष्णभक्ति और भगवान कृष्ण की लीलास्थली ब्रज क्षेत्र (वृन्दावन) की महिमा को भी प्रस्तुत किया है। वृन्दावन को ही अपने जीवन का अंतिम पड़ाव बनाया।
-खुद को ही भूल गये
स्वामी राधानाथ ने कहा कि लोग खुशियों की तलाश में खुद को ही भूल गये हैं। अमेरिकी स्वामी ने कहा कि सभी आध्यत्मिक परम्पराओं में यही बात कही गयी है। जमीन-जमीन पर चलकर जब वे हिमालय की गुफाओं में पहुँचे तो वहाँ उन्होंने देखा कि साधु-सन्त लंगोट पहने इसी तरह की आन्तरिक खुशियों को महसूस कर रहे हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि जब वे वृन्दावन पहुँचे तो काफी खुशी हुई।

-सर्वज्ञान वेद में
अमेरिकी संन्यासी ने कहा कि भारतीय ज्ञान, भक्ति और संस्कृति का सार तत्त्व ही पूरी दुनिया को नयी रोशनी देने में सक्षम है। उन्होंने कहा कि दुनियाभर के विचारक जिस ज्ञान की खोज कर रहे हैं, वह ज्ञान भारत के वेद व नैतिक मूल्यों से मिल सकता है। एक प्रश्न के उत्तर में उन्होंने कहा कि धर्म के बाह्य आडम्बर को छोड़कर मूल तत्त्व को समझने की जरुरत है।

दिल्ली के मुख्यमंत्री बनेंगे अरविंद केजरीवाल : सामने होंगी 12 चुनौतियाँ

-शीतांशु कुमार सहाय

सरकार बनाने पर जनता से रायशुमारी---
देश की राजनीति में ऐसा पहली बार हुआ है कि किसी पार्टी से समर्थन लेकर सरकार बनाने के मुद्दे पर रायशुमारी हुई हो। आप नेता मनीष सिसौदिया ने 23 दिसम्बर 2013 को बताया कि आप पार्टी ने पिछले एक हफ्ते से लोगों से सरकार बनाने पर राय ली। कुल 5 लाख 23 हजार लोगों ने एसएमएस, फोन कॉल्स और इंटरनेट के जरिए अपनी राय दी। इनमें से 74 प्रतिशत लोगों ने कहा कि आप को सरकार बनानी चाहिए। दिल्ली में कुल 274 जनसभा हुई और 257 जगह लोगों ने कहा कि सरकार बनानी चाहिए। रविवार 22 दिसम्बर 2013 को आम आदमी पार्टी की रायशुमारी का आखिरी दिन था। आप के नेता अरविंद केजरीवाल ने दिल्ली में चार जगहों पर जनसभाएं की। वो जहां भी लोगों की भीड़ जुटी। जनता ने रायशुमारी में उनका साथ दिया। इन जनसभाओं में बड़ी तादाद ऐसे लोगों की थी जिनका मानना है कि आम आदमी पार्टी को सरकार बनानी चाहिए। भले ही वो कांग्रेस के समर्थन से ही क्यों ना हो। आम आदमी पार्टी ने अपने घोषणापत्र में बड़े-बड़े वादे किए थे। जनता चाहती है कि आम आदमी पार्टी अब सरकार बनाकर इन वादों को पूरा करे। आम आदमी पार्टी (आप) ने दिल्ली में सरकार बनाने का फैसला लिया है। आप के संयोजक अरविंद केजरीवाल ने इसके लिए उप-राज्यपाल नजीब जंग से मुलाकात कर सरकार बनाने का दावा पेश किया। मनीष सिसौदिया ने कहा कि विधायक दल ने केजरीवाल को अपना नेता चुना है और वही मुख्यमंत्री बनेंगे।

128 जनसभाओं के आकड़े---
आम आदमी पार्टी ने अब तक कुल 128 जनसभाओं के आकड़ों की जानकारी दी है। उनका कहना है कि 128 जनसभाओं में से 110 में जनता ने कहा कि आम आदमी पार्टी अपनी सरकार बनाए जबकि 18 जनसभा में जनता की राय दोबारा चुनाव लड़ने की थी। यहां की जनता को भरोसा था कि दोबारा चुनाव हुए तो आम आदमी पार्टी बहुमत से सरकार बनाएगी। ये लोग कांग्रेस से समर्थन लेने के खिलाफ थे लेकिन अरविंद को फैसला बहुमत के आधार पर लेना है। ज्यादातर जनता को उम्मीद यही है कि जब आम आदमी पार्टी सत्ता में आएगी तो वो भ्रष्टाचार कम करेगी, उस महंगाई से राहत मिलेगी। आम आदमी पार्टी ने एसएमएस और फोन कॉल के जरिए भी लोगों की राय मांगी। इसके अलावा पार्टी की वेबसाइट पर भी लोगों से राय मांगी गई। आम आदमी पार्टी का दावा है कि उसे सात लाख से ज्यादा लोगों के जवाब मिले हैं। ज्यादातर चाहते हैं कि आम आदमी पार्टी सरकार बनाए।
12 चुनौतियाँ---
आम आदमी पार्टी (आप) ने अपने चुनावी घोषणा पत्र में ऐसे वादे किए हैं जिन्हें पूरा कर पाना उसके लिए चुनौती साबित होगी। इनमें से 12 वादे हैं---
1-भ्रष्टाचार से निपटने के लिए सत्ता में आने के 15 दिन के भीतर जन लोकपाल विधेयक पारित। इसके दायरे में सभी कर्मचारी होंगे।
2-करीब 3,000 मोहल्ला सभाओं की स्थापना की जाएगी। जहां लोग तय करेंगे कि उनको अपने इलाके में क्या चाहिए -पार्क, स्ट्रीट लाइट, अस्पताल या और कुछ।
3-सरकारी काम के लिए पैसे का भुगतान केवल मुहल्ला सभाओं के काम के संतुष्ट होने के बाद किया जाएगा।
4-बिजली का बिल आधा किया जाएगा और निजी वितरण कंपनियों का आडिट होगा। बढ़ा हुआ बिल सुधारा जाएगा और यदि बिजली वितरण कंपनियां सहयोग नहीं करेंगी तो उनका लाइसेंस रद्द कर दिया जाएगा।
5-दो लाख सामुदायिक और सार्वजनिक शौचालय बनाए जाएंगे।
6-जो परिवार महीने में 700 लीटर पानी खर्च करेंगे उनसे कोई बिल नहीं वसूला जाएगा। जिन घरेलू उपभोक्ताओं को नवंबर 2013 तक अधिक बिल मिला है उनका भुगतान करने की जरूरत नहीं है।
7-दिल्ली पुलिस, दिल्ली विकास प्राधिकरण और नगर निगमों को दिल्ली सरकार के अधिकार के दायरे में लाया जाएगा।
8-अल्पसंख्यकों का संरक्षण होगा और फर्जी एनकाउंटर तथा मुस्लिम युवाओं के खिलाफ फर्जी मामले बंद होंगे।
9-कोई भी सरकारी अधिकारी अगर भ्रष्टाचार में लिप्त पाया गया तो उसे बर्खास्त किया जाएगा, उसे जेल भेजा जाएगा और उसकी संपत्ति जब्त होगी।
10-अशोक खेमका और दुर्गाशक्ति नागपाल जैसे ईमानदार अधिकारियों को प्रोत्साहित और संरक्षित किया जाएगा।
11-हर वार्ड में नागरिक सुरक्षा बल बनाया जाएगा जो संकट में फंसे हर व्यक्ति की मदद करेगा।
12-अगर दिल्ली सरकार वादी होगी तो न्यायालय में कोई भी मामला स्थगित नहीं किया जाएगा।

पण्डित मुकुन्द दत्त द्वारी : नाना ने पहचानी प्रतिभा, दुनिया ने माना संगीत का लोहा / MUKUND DUTT DWARI

-शीतांशु कुमार सहाय/ SHEETANSHU KUMAR SAHAY

वर्ष 1970 से आकाशवाणी के नियमित कलाकार पण्डित मुकुन्द दत्त द्वारी कई पुरस्कारों व सम्मानों से सम्मानित हैं। इन्हें 19-20 दिसम्बर 2013 को पटना में आयोजित ‘नटराज कला सम्मान-2013’ से सम्मानित किया जायेगा। इन के साथ प्रसिद्ध कथक नर्तकी शोभना नारायण व नाट्यकर्मी अनिल पतंग भी सम्मानित होंगे।

तिरस्कृत होने वाला वह पत्थर भी सुगन्धित हो उठता है जिस पर चन्दन का घर्षण किया जाता है। वह बोल वन्दित होता है जो संगीत का साहचर्य पाता है। वास्तव में संगीत वही है जो मन को प्रसन्न करे, शान्ति प्रदान करे। जिस से मन उद्वेलित हो जाये, हृदय की धड़कन बढ़ जाये, रक्तचाप ऊपर-नीचे होने लगे और साँस का तारतम्य गड़बड़ा जाये, वह धुन वास्तव में संगीत नहीं कहला सकता। सरगम का वह क्रम जो प्रकृतिवत् तन-मन के लिए लाभप्रद हो, कर्णप्रिय हो; वही संगीत कहलाता है। इसे ही लोकाचार में शास्त्रीय संगीत कहते हैं। शास्त्रीय संगीत के असंख्य साधक हुए पर इन दिनों इस के वास्तविक जानकारों की संख्या काफी कम है। शास्त्रीय संगीत के वास्तविक जानकारों में भी निःशुल्क संगीत शिक्षा देने वाले संगीत गुरुओं की संख्या अँगुलियों के पोरों में ही समा पायेगी। ऐसे ही गिने-चुने संगीत गुरुओं में एक हैं पण्डित मुकुन्द दत्त द्वारी। पण्डित एमडी द्वारी के संक्षिप्त नाम से प्रसिद्ध इस उस्ताद ने दशकों तक देश के विभिन्न नगरों में गुरु-शिष्य परम्परा के तहत संगीत की शिक्षा देने के उपरान्त अपनी जन्म-भूमि वैद्यनाथधाम को पुनः अपना आश्रय-स्थली बनाया है। झारखण्ड के देवघर स्थित वैद्यनाथधाम के हरिहरबाड़ी में ‘जयगुरु संगीत शिक्षा केन्द्र’ के माध्यम से निःशुल्क संगीत प्रशिक्षण दे रहे हैं।

नाना ने पहचानी प्रतिभा

पलुस्कर संगीत घराने के प्रसिद्ध संगीतज्ञ पण्डित मुकुन्द दत्त द्वारी के मानस पटल पर संगीत का बीजारोपण उन के नाना पण्डित शम्भूनाथ खवाड़े ने उस वर्ष किया, जिस वर्ष गणतन्त्र बनकर उभरा था भारत। नाना ने छिपी हुई प्रतिभा को पहचाना और कालान्तर में संसार ने उन की संगीत मर्मज्ञता का लोहा माना। 3 वर्ष की अल्पावस्था से ही सरगम को साथी बनाने वाले मुकुन्द का जन्म 2 जुलाई 1947 को वैद्यनाथधाम में हुआ था। माता हरसुन्दरी देवी व पिता गोविन्द दत्त द्वारी के आँगन को अपने बाल कलरव से गुंजायमान करने वाले बालक में छिपी प्रतिभा को नाना पण्डित शम्भूनाथ खवाड़े ताड़ गये। वे देवघर के प्रसिद्ध शास्त्रीय संगीतज्ञ व लोकप्रिय कीर्तनकार थे। नाती को नाना का सान्निध्य मिला। यों बालक मुकुन्द की कोमल अँगुलियाँ वीणा और तानपूरे के तारों को छेड़ने लगीं, झंकृत करने लगीं जो अनवरत् जारी है।

ईश्वर के प्रति कृतज्ञता

जहाँ तक शास्त्रीय संगीत की बात है तो यह प्रकृतिजन्य है। भगवान शिव के संगीत-स्वरूप नटराज ही संगीत के मूल हैं। उन की नगरी देवघर में जन्म लेकर मुकुन्द भला संगीतहीन कैसे रहते! उन्होंने नटराज का अनुसरण किया और संगीत को भौतिक, मानसिक और आध्यात्मिक उत्थान का सोपान बनाया। इन तीनों क्षेत्रों में अपने उत्थान के बाबत वे सदैव ईश्वर के प्रति कृतज्ञता ज्ञापित करते हैं। समस्त भौतिक सुख और मानसिक शान्ति के बीच उन की साधना निरन्तर जारी है, जीवन के 67वें वर्ष में भी।

संगीत शिक्षा की शुरुआत

संगीत साधना के बीच द्वारी ने परम्परागत शिक्षा भी हासिल की। इन्होंने स्नातक की उपाधि हासिल की। देवघर के तत्कालीन प्रख्यात संगीत गुरु विदेश्वर झा से प्रथमतः संगीत की नियमित शिक्षा आरम्भ की। इस के पूर्व नाना पण्डित शम्भूनाथ खवाड़े से संगीत सीखा। पण्डित खवाड़े ने शास्त्रीय संगीत के माध्यम से इतनी आध्यात्मिक उन्नति की थी कि उन का देहावसान भी भग्वद्-भजन गाते-गाते ही हुआ। रात में कीर्तन करते रहे और प्रातः गोद में पखावज लिये बैठे हुए थे मगर शरीर निस्प्राण हो चुका था।

पलुस्कर घराने में दीक्षित

पण्डित खवाड़े व पण्डित विदेश्वर के पश्चात् मुकुन्द दत्त द्वारी ने पलुस्कर घराने के पण्डित सीताराम हरिदाण्डेकर का सान्निध्य प्राप्त किया। महाराष्ट्र के हरिदाण्डेकर को बिहार के तत्कालीन जलपोत कम्पनी के मालिक बच्चा बाबू ने मुजफ्फरपुर में रहने की व्यवस्था कर दी और उन के समस्त खर्चों का वहन करते थे। देवघर से मुकुन्द नियमित मुजफ्फरपुर जाते और महीनों गुरु के पास रहकर गुरु-शिष्य परम्परा के अन्तर्गत संगीत की सूक्ष्मता को आत्मसात् करते रहे। पण्डित विदेश्वर की संस्था में ही द्वारी को गाते देख प्रभावित होकर पण्डित नाथ बाबा गोखले ने अपने ठिकाने पर बुलाया। हिमालय क्षेत्र में तपस्या करने वाले गोखले यदा-कदा वैद्यनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग के दर्शन-पूजन को देवघर आते और संगीत मर्मज्ञ होने के नाते स्थानीय संगीत शिक्षालयों में जाते तथा चुनिन्दा विद्यार्थियों को संगीत की बारीकियाँ सिखाते थे। इन से संगीत के कई आध्यात्मिक पहलुओं को द्वारी ने सीखा। फिर किराना घराने के उस्ताद अमीर खाँ व पलुस्कर घराने के पण्डित नारायण राव पटवर्द्धन से संगीत की उच्च शिक्षा ग्रहण की। हालाँकि संस्थागत संगीत शिक्षा में पण्डित द्वारी स्नात्कोत्तर हैं मगर गुरु-शिष्य परम्परा के तहत उन्होंने संगीत में इतनी पैठ बनायी कि कई शिष्यों ने उन के मार्गदर्शन में संगीत में डॉक्टरेट भी की।

पटना में विशेष चर्चित

वर्ष 1970 से पण्डित द्वारी ने शास्त्रीय संगीत के प्रचार-प्रसार में अपना महत्त्वपूर्ण योगदान देना आरम्भ किया, जब इन्होंने पटना के अनीसाबाद में ‘पण्डित विदेश्वर संगीत केन्द्र’ की स्थापना की। शीघ्र ही वे पटना में इतने चर्चित व लोकप्रिय हो गये कि कई कथित संगीत गुरुओं ने अपने को पण्डित द्वारी बताकर मोटी राशि लेकर संगीत सिखाने लगे थे। इस बारे में बातचीत के दौरान उन्होंने बताया कई रोचक घटनाएँ सुनायीं। पटना के अलावा बोकारो, दिल्ली, सिरसा, भागलपुर, धनबाद, दुमका, बड़ौदा, जोधपुर, कोलकाता में भी संगीत का प्रशिक्षण दिया।

शिष्य परम्परा

देश-विदेश में इन के हजारों शिष्य हैं। इन में कुछ संगीत प्रशिक्षक बने हैं तो कुछ अन्य दूसरे रूप में संगीत को आजीविका का साधन बनाकर सफल जीवन का आनन्द ले रहे हैं। हालाँकि ये कभी दरबारी गायक नहीं रहे फिर भी बड़ौदा के पूर्व रजवाड़े के वर्तमान वारिस महाराज प्रताप सिंह गायकवाड़ इन के शिष्य हैं। यों प्रसिद्ध कथक व भरतनाट्यम केे नृत्यगुरु नागेन्द्र प्रसाद मोहिनी ने अपने गुरु पण्डित द्वारी का नाम रौशन किया। फिल्म जगत के जाने-माने गायक व संगीतकार ज्ञानेश्वर दूबे व संतोष अनीसाबादी, गायिका प्रिया और गायक मोहित इन के ही शागिर्द हैं। 20 वर्षों तक पटना में रहने के कारण उन के सर्वाधिक शिष्य भी पटना में ही हैं। चर्चित संगीत संस्था ‘निनाद’ के निदेशक राजीव सिन्हा जैसे पटना के सैकड़ों कलाकार ने पण्डित द्वारी से संगीत की शिक्षा ली। यों गायन, वादन, नृत्य, संगीत प्रशिक्षण, आकाशवाणी व विभिन्न टेलीविजन चैनलों में इन के कई शिष्य कार्यरत हैं। सोनिया सिन्हा अमेरिका में, अर्पणा विश्वास दक्षिण अफ्रीका में तो सुनीता हॉलैण्ड में संगीत की शिक्षा दे रही हैं जो पण्डित द्वारी की शिष्याएँ हैं।

सरकारी सेवा 

शास्त्रीय संगीत को समर्पित पण्डित द्वारी सरकारी सेवा में भी रहे। पर, इस दौरान संगीत-साधना पर तनिक असर न पड़ा। नियमित रियाज जारी रहा और सिखाने का सिलसिला भी। सन् 1974 में देवघर स्थित गोवर्द्धन साहित्य महाविद्यालय में व्याख्ता नियुक्त हुए। तदुपरान्त केन्द्रीय विद्यालय, पटना में संगीत शिक्षक बने। 2000 ई. में सिरसा, हरियाणा के केन्द्रीय विद्यालय से अवकाश प्राप्त किया।

निःशुल्क संगीत की शिक्षा

सरकारी सेवा से अवकाश प्राप्ति के पश्चात् इन्होंने जन्मभूमि देवघर का रुख किया। बाबा वैद्यनाथ की इस नगरी में ऐतिहासिक व पवित्र शिवगंगा के तट पर स्थित हरिहरबाड़ी में ‘जयगुरु संगीत शिक्षा केन्द्र’ संचालित कर रहे हैं। प्राचीन कला केन्द्र, चण्डीगढ़ से मान्यता प्राप्त इस संस्था में पण्डित द्वारी निःशुल्क संगीत की शिक्षा दे रहे हैं। इन दिनों संस्था में करीब 800 विद्यार्थी नामांकित हैं।

संगीत विश्वविद्यालय की स्थापना

चुनिन्दा संगीत कार्यक्रमों में बतौर कलाकार या बतौर निर्णायक शिरकत करने वाले पण्डित द्वारी के दिल में एक कसक शेष है। उन की चाहत है कि बिहार या झारखण्ड में एक संगीत विश्वविद्यालय की स्थापना हो। विदित हो कि इन दोनों राज्यों के हजारों संगीत केन्द्रों से करोड़ों रुपये बतौर विविध शुल्क अन्य राज्यों में चले जाते हैं। वे विभिन्न स्तरों पर प्रयासरत हैं कि झारखण्ड के देवघर व बिहार के पटना में संगीत विश्वविद्यालय की स्थापना हो।

कहते हैं कि जो संगीत में माहिर होते हैं, उन में स्वतः कवित्त-शक्ति प्रादुर्भूत हो जाती है। उन की कविता, उन की तुकबन्दी, उन के प्रत्येक बोल किसी-न-किसी राग-रागिनी पर आधृत होते हैं। इस के जीते-जागते उदाहरण हैं नटराज की बस्ती के वासी पण्डित मुकुन्द दत्त द्वारी।

77 दिनों बाद लालू प्रसाद जेल से निकले

-सांप्रदायिक ताकतों को सत्ता से दूर रखने का करेंगे प्रयास : लालू

-शीतांशु कुमार सहाय
रांची। अरबों रुपये के बहुचर्चित चारा घोटाले के एक मामले में सश्रम कारावास की सजा काट रहे राष्ट्रीय जनता दल प्रमुख लालू प्रसाद यादव की आज रांची स्थित बिरसा मुंडा केंद्रीय कारा से रिहाई हो गयी है। जेल से बाहर निकलने के बाद लालू प्रसाद ने कहा कि वे हस्तिनापुर की गद्दी से सांप्रदायिक ताकतों को दूर रखने का प्रयास करेंगे।
-सजा व जुर्माना
चाईबासा कोषागार से जुड़े 37.70 करोड़ रुपये के अवैध निकासी से जुड़े आरसी 20ए/96 मामले में रांची स्थित सीबीआई की विशेष अदालत ने विगत 3 अक्टूबर 2013 को लालू प्रसाद समेत 44 अभियुक्तों को सजा सुनायी थी। इस मामले में सीबीआई अदालक ने लालू प्रसाद को पांच वर्ष सश्रम कारावास तथा 25लाख रुपये जुर्माने की सजा सुनायी थी। बाद में उच्चतम न्यायालय से जमानत मिलने के बाद आज रांची स्थित सीबीआई की विशेष अदालत ने लालू प्रसाद को 25-25 हजार रुपये के दो निजी मुचलके पर रिहाई का आदेश दिया। सीबीआई कोर्ट ने बिना अदालत की अनुमति से लालू प्रसाद के विदेश जाने पर भी रोक लगा दी है। सीबीआई की निचली अदालत से 25-25 हजार रुपये के दो निजी मुचलके पर जमानत का आदेश मिलने पर राजद विधायक दल की नेता अन्नपूर्णा देवी और विधायक संजय प्रसाद सिंह यादव जमानतदार बने,जिसके बाद आवश्यक कागजी प्रक्रिया पूरी होने के बाद लालू प्रसाद दोपहर में बिरसा मुंडा केंद्रीय कारा से बाहर निकल गये।

बिरसा मुंडा केंद्रीय कारा से लालू प्रसाद की रिहाई के वक्त उनके पुत्र तेजस्वी यादव, पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्र्ाी जयप्रकाश नारायण यादव, पूर्व सांसद प्रेमचंद अग्रवाल, विधायक जर्नादन पासवान समेत अन्य नेता-कार्यकर्त्ता उपस्थित थी।
-जो जेल जाने से डरेगा, वह कुछ नहीं करेगा
जेल से बाहर निकलने के बाद लालू प्रसाद ने पत्र्ाकारों से बातचीत में कहा कि पूरे देश में घूम कर सांप्रदायिक ताकतों को सत्ता से दूर रखने के लिए लोगों को एकजुट करने का प्रयास करेंगे। उन्होंने कहा कि जेल कृष्ण भगवान की जन्मभूमि रही है, कंस का विध्वंस जेल में रहने वाले श्रीकृष्ण भगवान ने ही किया था। उन्होंने कहा कि कुछ लोग इतिहास की अनदेखी कर रही है, द्वारका भी श्रीकृष्ण का ही है। लालू प्रसाद ने कहा कि जेल में रहने के कारण वे विचलित नहीं हुए, जो व्यक्ति जेल जाने से डरेगा, वह कुछ नहीं करेगा, यही कारण है कि कृष्ण भगवान की जन्मस्थली में इस बार और इससे पहले मिलाकर करीब एक साल तक जीवन व्यतीत कर चुके है,लेकिन वे डिगे नहीं है।

-सीबीआई ने उनके साथ अन्याय किया
राजद प्रमुख ने कहा कि सीबीआई ने उनके साथ जितना अन्याय किया, उतना किसी के साथ नहीं हुआ होगा। लालू प्रसाद ने कहा कि अन्ना लोकपाल में न्यायपालिका को भी लाना चाहते थे, लेकिन यह न्यायपालिका के लिए घातक होता,इसलिए उन्होंने तब इसका विरोध किया था। उन्होंने कहा कि उनका, उनके परिवार और उनकी पार्टी का न्यायपालिका के प्रति पूरी आस्था है। चार राज्यों के विधानसभा चुनाव में कांग्रेस पार्टी की हार के संबंध में पूछे गये एक प्रश्न के उत्तर में लालू प्रसाद ने कहा कि चुनाव में हार-जीत लगा रहता है, लेकिन जिन लोगों ने दिल्ली में गलत वायदे कर जीत हासिल की, वे आज वहां सरकार बनाने की हिम्मत नहीं कर पा रहे है।
-देउड़ी मंदिर में पूजा
जेल से निकलने के बाद लालू का पहला दिन पूजा-अर्चना में बीता। दोपहर लगभग तीन बजे काफिले के साथ लालू प्रसाद तमाड़ के निकट देउड़ी मंदिर पहंचे और पूजा-अर्चना की। उन्होंने कहा कि यह शक्तिपीठ है। जेल जाने से पहले उनकी इच्छा यहां आने की थी, जो आज पूरी हो गयी। बाद में मंदिर के सामने आयोजित एक सभा में उन्होंने कहा कि भाजपा और आरएसएस के लोगों ने आरंभ से ही मुझे फंसाने का प्रयास किया। नीतीश कुमार भी इसमें शामिल थे।

-नरेंद्र मोदी पर हमला
भाजपा नेता नरेंद्र मोदी पर सीधे हमला बोलते हुये उन्होंने कहा कि वह पूंजीपतियों के नेता है और दंगा करने वाले व्यक्तित्व है। उन्होंने कहा कि देश में फिरकापरस्त ताकतों को बढ़ावा नहीं दिया जाना चाहिये। उन्होंने कहा कि जदयू के साथ तलाक हो जाने के बाद भाजपा और आरएसएस पस्त पड़ गये है। इस मौके पर उनके पुत्र तेजस्वी यादव, प्रदेश राजद अध्यक्ष गिरिनाथ सिंह, जयप्रकाश नारायण यादव, प्रभुनाथ राय, कृष्णा यादव, अनिल सिंह आजाद के साथ बड़ी संख्या में राजद नेता और कार्यकर्ता वहां मौजूद थे। आमसभा का आयोजन तमाड़ राजद के नेताओं ने किया था, जहां लालू प्रसाद का छउ नृत्य से स्वागत किया गया।
-मजार पर चादर चढ़ायी
रांची लौटने के बाद देर शाम लालू यादव काफिले के साथ डोरंडा स्थित रिसालदार बाबा की मजार पर पहंुचे और इबादत की और चादर चढ़ायी।

आड़ी-तिरछी रेखाएँ खींची तो अक्षर बन गए

मेरे पौने तीन वर्ष के पुत्र अभ्युदय ने कुछ आड़ी-तिरछी रेखाएँ खींची तो अक्षर बन गए। इन अक्षरों में अगणित शब्द छिपे हैं। किसी की खुशी तो किसी का गम छिपा है। किसी की सफलता तो किसी को मायूस कर देने वाली असफलता छिपी है। इन्हीं के माध्यम से अध्यात्म या विज्ञान के राज उजागर होते हैं और दुराचारियों-घोटालेबाजों के राज छिपाए भी जाते हैं। जो चाहिये, वह मिलेगा इन अक्षरों से।
मित्रों! चुनिये अपने-अपने हिस्से की खुशी और सफलता.....और बस चल पड़िये आगे जीवन की डगर पर।
भेंट कीजिये अभ्युदय से और कीजिये स्वीकार मेरा नमस्कार!
-शीतांशु / SHEETANSHU

झारखण्ड में बदहाली के आँसू बहा रहा पर्यटन उद्योग / Tourism in Jharkhand

-पर्यटन के विकास में असुरक्षा सबसे बड़ी बाधा

वैद्यनाथधाम मन्दिर, देवघर

पारसनाथ, गिरिडीह

हुण्डरू जलप्रपात, राँची

नवलखा मन्दिर, देवघर



-शीतांशु कुमार सहाय / Sheetanshu Kumar Sahay 
झारखण्ड में पर्यटन की असीम संभावनाओं के बावजूद पर्यटन उद्योग अपनी बदहाली पर आँसू बहा रहा है। राज्य सरकार ने पर्यटन के विकास के कई दावे किये हैं लेकिन हकीकत कुछ और ही है। आलम यह है कि सरकार पुराने पर्यटन स्थलों की सुरक्षा व रख-रखाव में भी विफल साबित हो रही है।
होटल चलाने में सरकार नाकाम
राँची में पर्यटन विभाग के होटल को निजी एजेंसी को सौंपने की तैयारी चल रही है। हटिया डैम में करोड़ों रुपये खर्च कर बोट मँगाये गये थे जो आज जहाँ-तहाँ पड़े हुए हैं। टैगोर हिल की स्थिति और जर्जर हो गयी है। हुंडरू में बने गेस्ट हाउस की स्थिति भी गंभीर है। दशम फॉल में झारखण्ड राज्य बनने के बाद लगभग 25 लोग डूब गये। पर्यटन विभाग यहाँ सुरक्षा की कोई व्यवस्था नहीं कर पाया है। जमशेदपुर में बने होटल साकची बिहार की स्थिति भी बिरसा विहार जैसी ही है। इसके संचालन के लिए भी एक निजी एजेंसी चाहिए। यह तो सीधे पर्यटन विभाग की नाकामी है। हुंडरू जलप्रपात के समीप करोड़ों खर्च कर गेस्ट हाउस बना है जिसका उपयोग नहीं हो पाता है। न यहाँ पर्यटक रात गुजारते हैं, न पर्यटन विभाग इसकी पहल करता है; क्योंकि इस इलाके में सुरक्षा व्यवस्था सबसे बड़ी बात है।
पर्यटकों की सुरक्षा भगवान भरोसे 
झारखण्ड में भी अधिकतर जल प्रपात नक्सल प्रभावित इलाकों में हैं। राज्य की भौगोलिक स्थिति ऐसी है कि यहाँ के जंगल व पहाड़ पर नक्सलियों का बसेरा है। दुर्गम इलाके में इनकी ही समानांतर सरकार चलती है। इनके अनुसार बसें चलती हैं, दुकानें खुलती हैं। इन इलाकों में पुलिस दिन में भी जाने से कतराती है। जैविक विविधाओं और जंगली जानवरों से भरे बेतला नेशनल पार्क, हजारीबाग, नेतरहाट की वादियाँ निश्चित रूप से पर्यटकों को अपनी और आकर्षित करती हैं। कई बार पर्यटन विभाग ने गाँव में युवकों को जागरूक करने का प्रयास किया लेकिन असफल रही; क्योंकि राज्य सरकार इन नक्सल प्रभावित इलाकों में पर्यटकों को सुरक्षा व्यवस्था मुहैया कराने के लिए कभी चर्चा भी नहीं करती है। पर्यटन विभाग में करोड़ों रुपये का घोटाला हुआ। कई बार विधानसभा में भी इसकी चर्चा हुई, पर आरोपित अधिकारी पर अब तक कोई कार्रवाई नहीं हुई।
जर्जर हैं सड़कें
झारखण्ड के जिन इलाकों में पर्यटन स्थल हैं, वहाँ की सड़कों की स्थिति भी जर्जर है। इस कारण पर्यटक यहाँ आने से मुँह मोड़ रहे हैं। खराब मौसम में दूरस्थ इलाकों में आवाजाही पर्यटक की राह में रोडे़ हैं। पर्यटन स्थलों पर जाने के लिए पूरी सुविधा नहीं है। ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में गाइड और सुरक्षा के कोई उपाय नहीं हैं।
एयरपोर्ट की भी स्थिति अच्छी नहीं
इसके अलावा राँची एयरपोर्ट की भी स्थिति अच्छी नहीं है। यहाँ से ज्यादा जगहों के लिए हवाई सुविधा उपलब्ध नहीं है। देवघर में हवाई अड्डा बनाने का कार्य चल रहा है। हवाई अड्डा तैयार होने के बाद यहाँ निश्चित रूप से हलचल बढ़ेगी।
 झारखण्ड में पर्यटन उद्योग की बदहाली के कारण- 
1. झारखण्ड में पर्यटन सुविधाओं का अभाव।
2. पर्यटन विभाग में करोड़ों रुपये के घोटाले के आरोपित अधिकारी खुलेआम घूम रहे हैं।
3. करोडों रुपये खर्च कर बना टूरिस्ट बंगला पर्यटकों के इंतजार में जर्जर हो रहे हैं।
4. दूसरे राज्य पर्यटन में हर वर्ष एक कदम आगे बढ़ जाते हैं और झारखण्ड एक कदम पीछे।
5. अधिकतर पर्यटन स्थलों में नक्सलियों का बसेरा है, जिससे लोग असुरक्षित महसूस करते हैं।
6. झारखण्ड का पर्यटन स्थल सिर्फ वेबसाइट तक सीमित रह गया है।
7. देवघर में स्थित वैद्यनाथधाम जैसे धार्मिक पर्यटन स्थलों पर पण्डा की घृणित संस्कृति कायम है जहाँ कदम-कदम पर पण्डों द्वारा रुपये-पैसे की माँग की जाती है। इस कारण दुबारा पर्यटक यहाँ आना नहीं चाहते।
8. सड़क मार्ग की स्थिति काफी खराब है।
9. पर्यटन के क्षेत्र में सरकारी या निजी पूँजी निवेश का सर्वथा अभाव है।

सांप्रदायिक हिंसा विधेयक : नरेंद्र मोदी का विरोध, प्रधानमंत्री को लिखी चिट्ठी

सांप्रदायिक हिंसा विधेयक पर केंद्र सरकार का विरोध बढ़ता जा रहा है। इसे लेकर अब बीजेपी के प्रधानमंत्री पद के उम्मीदवार नरेंद्र मोदी ने भी केंद्र सरकार को निशाने पर लिया है। मोदी ने सांप्रदायिक हिंसा विरोधी बिल का विरोध करते हुए प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह को चिट्ठी लिखी है। मोदी ने ट्वीट कर इसकी जानकारी दी है।
शिवसेना ने किया मोदी का समर्थन---
उधर, बिल को लेकर शिवसेना ने भी मोदी का समर्थन किया है। शिवसेना सांसद संजय राउत ने कहा कि नरेंद्र भाई ने जो मुद्दे इस बिल पर रखे हैं, उसको शिवसेना का समर्थन है। वोट बैंक की राजनीति के लिए किसी को खुश करने के लिए इस बिल को लाने की कोशिश की जाएगी, लेकिन हम लाने नहीं देंगे। इस सेशन में वो बिल नहीं आएगा। प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह ने कहा है कि बिल पर आम सहमति बनाने की कोशिश होगी। सुशील कुमार शिंदे ने कहा कि बिल इसी सत्र में पेश करेंगे।
मोदी की चिट्ठी---
मोदी ने लिखा है कि सांप्रदायिक हिंसा बिल से समाज बंटेगा। मोदी ने संसद में सांप्रदायिक हिंसा विरोधी बिल लाए जाने के समय पर भी सवाल उठाया। उन्होंने बिल के मसौदे पर सवाल उठाते हुए कहा है कि यह संघीय ढांचे के खिलाफ है। मोदी ने लिखा है कि ये बिल असल मकसद के लिए नहीं वोटबैंक की राजनीति का हिस्सा है। मोदी ने लिखा कि केंद्र ऐसे कानून बनाने में व्यस्त है जो राज्य सरकारों का मामला है। अगर ये कानून लागू हुआ तो समाज बंट जाएगा और हिंसा बढ़ जाएगी। इसका समाज में उल्टा ही असर होगा। मैंने पीएम से निवेदन किया है कि इस बिल को पेश करने से पहले सभी राज्यों और संबंधित लोगों से चर्चा की जाए। सांप्रदायिक हिंसा बिल गलत इरादों वाला, कमजोर मसौदे वाला और मुसीबत बढ़ाने वाली बिल है। मैंने पीएम को खत लिखकर इसका विरोध किया है।
इससे पहले पश्चिम बंगाल की मुख्यमंत्री ममता बनर्जी और तमिलनाडु की मुख्यमंत्री जयललिता भी इस प्रस्तावित बिल का विरोध कर चुके हैं। दोनों का मानना है कि इस बिल के लागू होने से राज्य के मामलों में केंद्र का दखल बढ़ जाएगा।

सांप्रदायिक हिंसा बिल का शुरुआती मसौदा---
PREVENTION OF COMMUNAL AND TARGETED VIOLENCE (ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND REPARATIONS) BILL, 2011 A BILL To respect, protect and fulfill the right to equality before law and equal protection of law by imposing duties on the Central Government and the State Governments, to exercise their powers in an impartial and non-discriminatory manner to prevent and control targeted violence, including mass violence, against Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and religious minorities in any State in the Union of India, and linguistic minorities in any State in the Union of India; to thereby uphold secular democracy; to help secure fair and equal access to justice and protection to these vulnerable groups through effective provisions for investigation, prosecution and trial of offences under the Act; to provide for restorative relief and reparation, including rehabilitation and compensation to all persons affected by communal and targeted violence; and for matters connected herewith and incidental thereto.
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CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act is called “Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Act, 2011”. (2) It extends to the whole of India excluding the State of Jammu and Kashmir. (3) It shall come into force within one year from the date of the passing of this Act. 2. Punishment of offences committed beyond, but which by law may be tried within, India.- Any person liable under any Indian law including this Act, to be tried for an offence committed beyond India shall be dealt in accordance with the provisions of this Act for any act committed beyond India in the same manner as if such act had been committed within India. 3. Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise so requires:- (a) “Armed Forces or Security Forces” means Armed Forces of the Union or Security Forces or Police Forces, as specified in Schedule I. (b) “association" means any combination or body of individuals, whether or not registered or incorporated under any law for the time being in force; (c) “communal and targeted violence” means and includes any act or series of acts, whether spontaneous or planned, resulting in injury or harm to the person and or property, knowingly directed against any person by virtue of his or her membership of any group. (d) “fund” means the Communal and Targeted Violence Relief and Rehabilitation Fund established under this Act; (e) “group” means a religious or linguistic minority, in any State in the Union of India, or Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes within the meaning of clauses (24) and (25) of Article 366 of the Constitution of India; (f) “hostile environment against a group” means an intimidating or coercive environment that is created when a person belonging to any group as defined under this Act, by virtue of his or her membership of that group, is subjected to any of the following acts: (i) boycott of the trade or businesses of such person or making it otherwise difficult for him or her to earn a living; or, (ii) publicly humiliate such person through exclusion from public services, including education, health and transportation or any act of indignity; or, (iii) deprive or threaten to deprive such person of his or her fundamental rights; or, (iv) force such person to leave his or her home or place of ordinary residence or livelihood without his or her express consent; or,
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(v) any other act, whether or not it amounts to an offence under this Act, that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. (g) “internally displaced person” means and includes any person, whether or not he or she belongs to a group as defined under this Act, who has been forced or obliged to leave his or her home or place of ordinary residence as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of organized communal or targeted violence to any other location within India. The term ‘internal displacement’ shall be construed accordingly; (h) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules or regulation, as the case may be, made under this Act; (i) “public servant” means a public servant as defined under section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 as well as any other person deemed to be a public servant under any other law including this Act for the time being in force and includes any person acting in his or her official capacity under the Central Government or the State Government; (j) “State” shall carry the same meaning as in Article 1 of the Constitution of India read with Schedule I thereunder; (k) “victim” means any person belonging to a group as defined under this Act, who has suffered physical, mental, psychological or monetary harm or harm to his or her property as a result of the commission of any offence under this Act, and includes his or her relatives, legal guardian and legal heirs, wherever appropriate; (l) “witness” means person who is acquainted with the facts and circumstances, or is in possession of any information or has knowledge, necessary for the purpose of investigation, inquiry or trial of any crime involving an offence under this Act, and who is or may be required to give information or make a statement or produce any document during investigation, inquiry or trial of such case and includes a victim of such offence; (m) All words and expressions used but not defined in the Act and defined in the Indian Penal Code 1860, the Indian Evidence Act 1872 or in the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have the meanings assigned to them in the said enactments. 4. Knowledge.- A person is said to knowingly direct any act against a person belonging to a group by virtue of such person’s membership of that group where: (a) he or she means to engage in the conduct against a person he or she knows belongs to that group; or, (b) with the knowledge that the person belongs to a group, he or she means to cause injury or harm to such person because of the membership of such person to that group.
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CHAPTER II OFFENCES 5. Offences of communal and targeted violence.- Offences under section 7 to 12 (both inclusive) shall be offences of communal and targeted violence. 6. Applicability of SC/ST Atrocities Act.- (1) In relation to offences against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, this Act shall apply in addition and not in derogation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 except to the extent mentioned in sub-section (2) and (3). (2) The provision of rule 6 and 7 framed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995 in relation to investigation of offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 shall apply to all investigation under that Act to the exclusion of section 62 and section 85 of this Act. (3) The provisions of Chapter VII of this Act shall apply to members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes against whom offences are committed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 to the extent relevant. Provided that any amounts paid under the said Act shall be set off against any amounts paid under this Act. 7. Sexual assault.- A person is said to commit sexual assault if he or she commits any of the following acts against a person belonging to a group by virtue of that person’s membership of a group: (a) against a woman, (i) rape; (ii) gang rape; (iii) rape or gang rape as part of or in the course of organised communal and targeted violence. (b) against any person, without their consent or against their will, (i) the introduction by a man of his penis or any other body part or an object into vagina, mouth or anus, to any extent; (ii) causing harm or hurt to reproductive organs or genital organs; (iii) exposing one’s sexual organs in front of any person; (iv) sexual contact of any sort, including the performance of sexual acts for any length of time; (v) removing the persons clothes, partially or fully, or compelling that person to undress himself or herself, partially or fully, in public view or otherwise, or parading that person in undressed state in public view or otherwise; (vi) any other act or conduct that subjects that person to sexual indignity.
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Provided that where sexual assault under sub-section (a) or (b) is committed as part of or in the course of organised communal and targeted violence, it shall not be necessary to prove that the said act was committed against the victim without their consent or against their will. Explanation – For the purposes of this section, consent shall mean– (a) The unequivocal voluntary agreement where the person has by words, gestures, or any form of non-verbal communication, communicated willingness to participate in the act referred to in this section; (b) “Unequivocal voluntary agreement” means willingness given for specific and be limited to the express act consented to under this section. Explanation 2 – For the purposes of this section, consent obtained by duress, threat, terror, fear, coercion, undue influence, misrepresentation or mistake of fact shall not be unequivocal voluntary agreement. 8. Hate propaganda.- Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, whoever publishes, communicates or disseminates by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representation or by electronic or other means of mass communication or otherwise acts inciting hatred causing clear danger of violence against a group or persons belonging to that group, in general or specifically, or disseminates or broadcasts any information, or publishes or displays any advertisement or notice, that could reasonably be construed to demonstrate an intention to promote or incite hatred or expose or is likely to expose the group or persons belonging to that group to such hatred, is said to be guilty of hate propaganda. Provided that nothing will be deemed to be hate propaganda, which is done in furtherance of or promotes fundamental rights enshrined in Chapter III of the Constitution of India. 9. Organised Communal and Targeted Violence.- (1) Whoever, being an individual, singly or jointly with others or being a part of an association or on behalf of an association or acting under the influence of an association, engages in continuing unlawful activity of a widespread or systematic nature knowingly directed against a group or part thereof, by virtue of their membership of that group, by use of violence or threat of violence or intimidation or coercion or by committing sexual assault or other unlawful means, is said to commit the offence of organised communal and targeted violence. Explanation - for the purposes of this section, ‘continuous unlawful activity of a widespread or systematic nature knowingly directed against a group or part thereof’ means the course of conduct involving the multiple or mass commission of acts referred to in this section, whether spontaneously or planned, whether over a short or prolonged period or in one place or a number of places simultaneously or otherwise, against any group or part thereof.
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(2) Where it is shown that continuing unlawful activity of a widespread or systematic nature has occurred, it may be presumed that the public servant charged with the duty to prevent communal and targeted violence has failed to act to prevent the widespread or systematic unlawful activity. 10. Aiding financially, materially or in kind for commission of offence under this Act.- Whoever knowingly expends or supplies any money or any material or aids in kind thereof, in furtherance or in support of an act which is an offence under this Act is said to be guilty of aiding financially in the commission of an offence under this Act. 11. Offence under the Indian Penal Code, 1860.- The offences under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 provided in: (a) Schedule II, Part A of this Act; or (b) Schedule II, Part B of this Act, when committed against any person belonging to a group by virtue of his or her membership to that group, shall be deemed to be offences of communal and targeted violence under this Act and shall be dealt with accordingly. 12. Torture.– Whoever, being a public servant, or under the control or direction of or with the acquiescence of a public servant, intentionally inflicts pain or suffering, whether mental or physical, or inflicts cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, on a person belonging to a group by virtue of his or her membership of a group, including causing grievous hurt or danger to life, limb or health or sexual assault, for the purposes of obtaining from him or her or a third person information or a confession or punishing him or her for an act he or she or a third person committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or her or a third person or for any other purpose, is said to inflict torture. Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply to any pain, hurt or danger as aforementioned caused or inflicted in accordance with law. 13. Dereliction of duty.- When any person who is or was a public servant not removable from his or her office save by or with the sanction of the Central Government or State Government, as the case may be, authorized to act under any provision of this Act: (a) exercises the authority vested in him or her colourably or in a manner otherwise than provided under law for the time being in force, which causes or is likely to lead to an offence of communal and targeted violence or by which he or she intends to screen or knowing it to be likely that he or she will thereby screen any person from legal punishment; or, (b) omits to exercise lawful authority vested in him or her under law, without reasonable cause, thereby fails to prevent the commission of communal and targeted violence, breach of public order or disruption in the maintenance of services and supplies essential to a group, shall be guilty of dereliction of duty.
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Explanation - For the purpose of this section, dereliction of duty shall also include the following: (i) being charged as such public servant with the duty, who refuses to: (a) protect or provide protection to any victim of communal and targeted violence; (b) record any information under sub-section (1) of section 154, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 relating to the commission of any scheduled offence or any other offence under this Act; or prepares, frames or translates any document or electronic record incorrectly; (c) investigate or prosecute any scheduled offence or any other offence under this Act; (ii) being charged as such public servant, failing to perform his or her duties under section 18 of this Act, to take all reasonable steps to prevent any act of communal and targeted violence including its build-up, incitement, outbreak and spread, and to discharge his or her duties without delay in a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory manner; (iii) being charged as such public servant, failing to perform his or her duties under section 63 of this Act, to conduct a medical examination without any delay in relation to a victim who has suffered physical injury including sexual assault; (iv) being charged as such public servant, failing to perform his or her duties under section 65 of this Act, to take all reasonable steps to preserve relevant documents and records; (v) being charged as such public servant, failing to perform his or her duties under sections 66, 83 and 84 of this Act, to take all reasonable steps to protect victims, informants and witnesses; (vi) furnishes false information on any issue within his or her purview and responsibility. If the information which the public servant is legally bound to give, is with respect to the commission of an offence under this Act, or is required for the purpose of preventing the commission of an offence under this Act, (vii) exercises his or her legal authority corruptly or maliciously to register a false case against a person, or arrest or confine a person (viii) being legally bound as such public servant, intentionally omits to apprehend or to keep in confinement any person charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence under this Act, or intentionally suffers such person to escape or intentionally aids such person in escaping; (ix) knowingly or intentionally omits to furnish assistance that he or she is legally bound to provide to any public servant for the purpose of executing any process, summons or warrant lawfully issued by a Court of Justice, or of preventing the commission of an offence under this Act or of suppressing affray, or of apprehending a person charged with or guilty of an offence;
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(x) where a public servant gives any information which he knows or believes to be false or suppresses any information or omits to give any information intending thereby to cause or knowing it to be likely that it will thereby cause injury or harm to any person belonging to a group; (xi) being charged as such public servant, failing to take all reasonable steps to exercise duties under Chapter VII of under this Act; shall be guilty of dereliction of duty. 14. Offences by public servants for breach of command responsibility.- (1) Whoever, being a public servant in command, control or supervision of the armed forces or security forces as defined under clause (a) of section 3 of this Act or assuming command whether lawfully or otherwise, fails to exercise control over persons under his or her command, control, or supervision and as a result of such failure offences under this Act are committed, by persons under his or her command, control or supervision, or as a result of such failure the said persons fail to discharge their duties under this Act or any other law for the time being in force, shall be guilty of the offence of breach of command responsibility, where:- (a) such public servant either knew or ought to have known having regard to the circumstances at the time that the persons under his or her command, control or supervision would commit or be likely to commit such offences; and, (b) such public servant failed to take necessary and reasonable measures within his or her power to prevent or repress the commission of said offences or failed to submit the matter to the competent authorities for investigation and prosecution. 15. Offences by other superiors for breach of command responsibility.- (1) Whoever, being any non-state actor or superior or office-bearer of any association as defined under clause (b) of section 3 of this Act and other than those mentioned under section 14, in command, control or supervision of any association or assuming command vested in him or her or otherwise, fails to exercise control over subordinates under his or her command, control, supervision and as a result of such failure offences under this Act are committed by subordinates under his or her command, control or supervision, shall be guilty of offences committed by such subordinates under his or her command, where: (a) such non-state actor or superior or office-bearer of any association either knew, or consciously disregarded information which clearly indicated that his or her subordinates were committing or about to commit such offences; (b) the offences concerned activities that were within the effective responsibility and control of such non-state actor or superior or office-bearer of any association; and (c) such non-state actor or superior or office-bearer of any association failed to take all necessary and reasonable measures within his or her power to prevent or repress their commission or to submit the matter to the competent authorities for investigation and prosecution.
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16. Superior orders and prescription of law.- Where an offence has been committed under this Act, the fact that it was committed by a person pursuant to an order of a superior, shall not relieve that person of criminal responsibility unless: (a) the person was under a legal obligation to obey orders of the superior in question; and (b) the order was not manifestly unlawful. 17. Abetment of an offence.- A person abets an offence, who – First – Instigates any person to do that offence; or Secondly – Engages with one or more other person or persons in any conspiracy for the doing of that offence, if an act or illegal omission takes place in pursuance of that conspiracy, and in order to the doing of that offence; or Thirdly – Intentionally aids, by any act or illegal omission, the doing of that offence. Explanation – A person who, by willful misrepresentation, or by willful concealment of a material fact, which he or she is bound to disclose, voluntarily causes or procures, or attempt to cause or procure a thing to be done, is said to instigate the doing of that offence. Explanation 2 – Whoever, either prior to or at the time of commission of an act, does anything in order to facilitate the commission of that act, and thereby facilitates the commission thereof, is said to aid the doing of that act. CHAPTER III PREVENTION OF COMMUNAL AND TARGETED VIOLENCE 18. Duty to prevent communal and targeted violence.- (1) Every public servant charged with the duty of maintenance of public order and tranquility including duties under sections 129 to 144A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, shall take all reasonable steps to prevent any act of communal and targeted violence including its build-up, incitement, outbreak and spread; and to that end - (i) make all possible efforts to identify patterns of violence in the State or any part thereof, that indicate occurrence of communal and targeted violence, including the creation or existence of hostile environment against a group; (ii) obtain information regarding the likelihood of occurrence of communal or targeted violence; and, (iii) act in furtherance of the duty to prevent communal and targeted violence in accordance with the powers vested in them; (2) Every police officer shall take action, to the best of his or her ability, to prevent the commission of all offences under this Act. (3) Every public servant exercising powers under this Act in discharge of his or her duties shall act without any delay in a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory manner.
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19. Duty to exercise authority against unlawful assemblies.- A public servant being charged with any duty under Sections 129 to 144A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 shall exercise his or her duty in a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory manner. CHAPTER IV NATIONAL AUTHORITY FOR COMMUNAL HARMONY, JUSTICE AND REPARATION 20. Constitution of National Authority for Communal Harmony, Justice and Reparation.- (1) The Central Government shall constitute a body known as the National Authority for Communal Harmony, Justice and Reparation to exercise the powers and perform the functions assigned to it under this Act. (2) The National Authority shall be a body corporate with the name aforesaid having perpetual succession and a common seal with the power, subject to the provisions of this Act to acquire, hold and dispose of property and to contract, and may, by the aforesaid name, sue or be sued. (3) The National Authority shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chair-person and five other Members. Provided that, at all times, not less than four Members, including the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, shall belong to a group as defined under this Act. Provided further that, at all times, there shall be - 1. one Member belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes; 2. four women, whether Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member; Provided further that, at all times, one woman, whether Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member, shall belong to a religious or linguistic minority. Provided further that, at all times, not more than two Members, including the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, shall be retired public servants. (4) There shall be a Secretary-General, who shall be an officer of the rank of the Secretary to the Government of India, appointed in consultation with the Chairperson of the National Authority, who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the National Authority and shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions of the National Authority as it may delegate to him or her. (5) The headquarters of the National Authority shall be at Delhi and the Authority may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, establish offices at other places in India. 21. Appointment of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other Members.- (1) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his or her hand and seal: Provided that every appointment under this sub-section shall be made after obtaining the recommendations of a Selection Committee consisting of: (i) The Prime Minister - Chairperson (ii) Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People - Member
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(iii) Leader of the Opposition in the Council of States - Member (iv) Minister in-charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Government of India - Member (v) Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission - Member Explanation - For the purposes of this sub-section, “the Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People” shall, when no such Leader has been so recognised, include the Leader of the single largest group in opposition of the Government in the House of the People. Explanation 2 - For the purposes of this sub-section, “the Leader of the Opposition in the Council of States” shall, when no such Leader has been so recognised, include the Leader of the single largest group in opposition of the Government in the Council of States. (2) The process of selection shall be initiated by the office of the Prime Minister of India within three months of the coming into force of this Act in the first instance and three months prior to the completion of tenure of the existing Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member and shall be concluded within two months. (3) The decisions of the Selection Committee shall be by a simple majority. 22. Qualifications.- (1) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the National Authority shall have the following qualifications and shall be chosen from amongst persons: (a) having expertise in relation to law or criminal justice or human rights or sociology or any other related social science; (b) having a record of promoting communal harmony; (c) being of high moral character, impartiality and integrity; and, (d) who have not been members of any political party for a period of one year prior to their selection. (2) No person shall be eligible to be appointed as a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member of the National Authority if: (a) an inquiry into an offence under any law for the time being in force, including any offence provided under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, is pending against him or her or he or she has been convicted for such offence; (b) he or she has, in any manner, exhibited bias against any group, by acts or in writing or otherwise; or (c) if subject to any disciplinary control, whether a public servant or otherwise, a disciplinary proceeding is pending against him or her, or he or she has been found guilty in any such proceeding. (3) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the National Authority shall not contest elections for a period of two years after completion of their term either under the Government of India or under the Government of any State except to the office of President or Vice President of the Union of India.
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23. Term of office of Members.- (1) The Members of the National Authority shall serve on a full-time basis for a six year term. Provided that at the first selection, two members shall be appointed for a term of two years, two members for a term of four years, and the remainder appointed for a term of six years. (2) A person appointed as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson shall hold office for a term of two years from the date on which he or she enters upon his or her office. (3) A person appointed as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson shall not be eligible for re-appointment in the same capacity. (4) Except at the first instance, members with two years service in the National Authority alone will be qualified to be Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. 24. Resignation and removal of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members.- (1) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or any Member may, by notice in writing under his or her hand addressed to the President of India, resign from his or her office. (2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 22, the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson or any Member of the National Authority shall only be removed from his or her office by order of the President on the grounds of proven misbehavior or functional incapacity after the Supreme Court in a reference made to it by the President, has on inquiry, held, in accordance with the procedure prescribed in that behalf that the person ought on any such ground be removed. (3) Notwithstanding anything sub-section (2), the President may by order remove from office the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or any other Member if the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or any other Member, as the case may be - (a) engages during his or her term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of his or her office; or (b) is unfit to continue in office by reasons of infirmity of mind or body; or (c) is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which in the opinion of the President involves moral turpitude. 25. Vacancies in the Authority.- (1) No act or proceedings of the National Authority shall be questioned or shall be invalidated merely on the ground of existence of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the National Authority. (2) In the event of the occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the National Authority caused by any reason, a selection shall be held in accordance with section 21 to fill the vacancy within two months of the vacancy arising.
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(3) A member so appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the predecessor’s term and, if that period is two years or less, shall be eligible for re-selection for a full term. 26. Terms and conditions of service of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members.- The salaries and allowances payable to, and other terms and conditions of services of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members shall be such as may be prescribed. Provided that neither the salary and allowances nor the other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or any Member shall be varied to his or her disadvantage during his or her tenure. 27. Procedure to be regulated by the National Authority.- (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, the National Authority shall have the power to lay down its own procedure. (2) All orders and decisions of the National Authority shall be authenticated by the Secretary-General or any other officer of the National Authority duly authorized by the Chairperson in this behalf. 28. Officers and other staff of the National Authority.- (1) The Central Government shall make available to the National Authority such police and investigative staff under an officer not below the rank of a Director General of Police and such other officers and staff as the National Authority may deem necessary for the efficient performance of its functions. (2) Subject to such rules as may be made by the Central Government in this behalf, the National Authority may appoint such other administrative, technical staff as it may consider necessary. (3) The salaries, allowances and conditions of service of the officers and other staff appointed under sub-section (2) shall be such as may be prescribed. (4) The National Authority shall perform its functions on its own or through the State Authorities appointed under this Act, or through any persons appointed by it or through such other procedures and mechanisms it may adopt. 29. Functions of the National Authority.- The National Authority shall perform all or any of the following functions, namely:- (a) receive and collect information on: (i) any acts that indicate a build up by State or non-state actors of offences under this Act; (ii) any form of communication, propaganda, mobilisation or the activities of persons, which may promote enmity or hatred against groups; (iii) occurrence or likely occurrence of offences of communal and targeted violence in the manner prescribed by rules under this Act;
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(iv) negligence in the prevention of communal and targeted violence by public servants. (b) entertain appeals against decisions of the State Assessment Committee in relation to non-inclusion of names of persons under section 95. (c) issue advisories and make recommendations, in relation to clause (a) above and section 30, to State and non-state actors; (d) frame, in consultation with the Central Government, schemes for making reparations to all persons entitled under section 87 including those registered under section 95; (e) frame, in consultation with the Central Government, guidelines in relation to the prevention and control of communal and targeted violence; (f) receive regular reports at least once every quarter on incidents, outbreaks and patterns of communal and targeted violence from all State Authorities constituted under this Act; (g) visit, under intimation to the State Government, any relief camp under the control of the State Government, where internally displaced persons reside, to review the living conditions of such persons; (h) visit, under intimation to the Central Government or the State Government, any jails or any other institution under the control of the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, where persons are detained or lodged for the purposes of inquiry or investigation into any offence under this Act; (i) observe proceedings in court in relation to any offence punishable under this Act either through Members of the State Authority or by appointing independent observers; (j) intervene in any proceeding, involving any allegation of communal and targeted violence pending before a court, with approval of such court; (k) such other functions that it may consider necessary for the preservation of communal harmony and prevention and control of communal and targeted violence. Provided that where any State Authority has commenced an inquiry under powers vested under this Act, the National Authority shall not inquire into the same. Provided further that the National Authority shall inquire into complaints of organised communal and targeted violence and no State Authority shall have the power to inquire into such complaints. 30. Monitoring and review by National Authority of performance of duties.- The National Authority shall observe, monitor and review the performance of duties by public servants in relation to the following: (i) effectiveness of steps taken by public servant for prevention of offences of communal and targeted violence; (ii) recording of information where offences under this Act have been committed by public servants; (iii) timely and effective investigation and prosecution of offences under this Act, including offences by public servants; (iv) provision of timely and adequate measures related to relief, rehabilitation, reparation and restitution of all persons entitled to such benefits under section 87 including those registered under section 95, in accordance with provisions of this Act.
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31. Powers of the National Authority.- (1) The National Authority in the fulfillment of its objectives and in furtherance of its functions shall have the following powers, namely:- (a) requisitioning information from the: (i) Central government, any State government or concerned Union Territory or any of their officers or departments; or (ii) non-state actors; (b) appointing any person to observe, gather facts and information, inquire on its behalf; (c) issue directions to State Authorities in relation to the conduct of any inquiry. Provided that any direction issued by the National Authority to any State Authority shall be binding on the State Authority. (2) The National Authority shall, while inquiring or investigating, have the powers of a Civil Court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely:- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath; (b) discovery and production of any document; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; (e) any other matter which may be prescribed. (3) The National Authority shall have power to require any person, subject to any privilege which may be claimed by that person under any law for the time being in force, to furnish information on such matters as, in the opinion of the Authority, may be useful or relevant to, the inquiry and any person so required shall be deemed to be legally bound to furnish such information within the meaning of section 176 and section 177 of the Indian Penal Code. (4) The National Authority through any other Gazetted Officer specially authorized in this behalf by the National Authority may enter any building or place where the National Authority has reason to believe that any document relating to the subject matter of the inquiry or investigation may be found, and may enter and seize any such document or take extracts or copies there from subject to the provisions of section 100, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, in so far as it may be applicable. (5) The National Authority shall be deemed to be a civil court and when any offence as is described in section 175, section 178, section 179, section 180 or section 228 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 is committed in the view or presence of the Authority, the Authority may, after recording the facts constituting the offence and the statement of the accused as provided for in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, forward the case to a Magistrate or the Designated Judge as the case may be, having jurisdiction to try the same and the Magistrate or the Designated Judge to whom any such case is forwarded shall proceed to hear the complaint against the accused as if the case has been forwarded to him under section 346, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
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(6) Every proceeding in relation to an inquiry or investigation before the National Authority shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purposes of section 196, of the Indian Penal Code, and the Authority shall be deemed to be a civil court for all the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. 32. Investigation.- (1) The National Authority may, for the purpose of conducting any investigation pertaining to the inquiry, utilize the services of any officer or investigation agency of the Central Government or any State Government with the concurrence of the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be. (2) For the purpose of investigating into any matter pertaining to the inquiry, any officer or agency whose services are utilized under sub-section (1) may, subject to the direction and control of the National Authority – (a) summon and enforce the attendance of any person and examine him; (b) require the discovery and production of any document; and (c) requisition any public record or copy thereof from any office. (3) The provision of section 40 shall apply in relation to any statement made by a person before any officer or agency whose services are utilized under sub-section (1) as they apply in relation to any statement made by a person in the course of giving evidence before the National Authority. (4) The officer or agency whose services are utilized under sub-section (1) shall investigate into any matter pertaining to the inquiry and submit a report thereon to the National Authority within such period as may be specified by the National Authority in this behalf. (5) The National Authority shall satisfy itself about the correctness of the facts stated and the conclusion, if any, arrived at in the report submitted to it under sub-section (4) and for this purpose the National Authority may make such inquiry (including the examination of the person or persons who conducted or assisted in the investigation) as it thinks fit. 33. Inquiry into complaints.- The National Authority while inquiring into the complaints of offences under this Act may – (i) Call for information or report from the Central Government or any State Government or any other authority or organisation subordinate thereto within such time as may be specified by it: Provided that – (a) If the information or report is not received within the time stipulated by the National Authority, it may proceed to inquire into the complaint on its own; (b) If, on receipt of information or report, the National Authority is satisfied either that no further inquiry is required or that the required action has been initiated or
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taken by the concerned Government or authority, it may not proceed with the complaint and inform the complainant accordingly; (ii) without prejudice to anything contained in clause (i), if it considers necessary, having regard to the nature of the complaint, initiate an inquiry. 34. Steps after inquiry.- The National Authority may take any of the following steps upon the completion of an inquiry held under this Act, namely, (1) where the inquiry discloses violations of the provisions of this Act or negligence in the prevention of communal and targeted violence by a public servant, it may recommend to the concerned Government or authority the initiation of proceedings for prosecution or such other action as the National Authority may deem fit against the concerned person or persons; (2) approach the Supreme Court or the High Court concerned for such directions, orders or writs as that Court may deem necessary; (3) the National Authority shall send a copy of its inquiry report together with its recommendations to the concerned Government or authority and the concerned government or authority shall, within a period of one month, or such further time as the National Authority may allow, forward its comments on the report, including the action taken or proposed to be taken thereon, to the National Authority; (4) The National Authority shall publish its inquiry report together with the comments of the concerned government or authority, if any, and the action taken or proposed to be taken by the concerned Government or authority on the recommendations of the National Authority. 35. Copy of inquiry report to be given to complainant.- It shall be the duty of the National Authority to provide a copy of the inquiry report under sub-section (3) of section 34 to the complainant or his or her representative. 36. Procedure with respect to armed forces or security forces.- (l) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, while dealing with complaints of offences under this Act by members of the armed forces or security forces, the National Authority shall adopt the following procedures, namely: (a) it may, either on its own motion or on receipt of a petition, seek a report from the Central Government; (b) after the receipt of the report, it may, either not proceed with the complaint or, as the case may be, make its recommendations to that government. (2) The Central Government shall inform the National Authority of the action taken on the recommendations within three months or such further time as the National Authority may allow.
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(3) The National Authority shall publish its report together with its recommendations made to the Central Government and the Action taken by the Government on such recommendations. (4) The National Authority shall provide a copy of the report published under sub-section (3) to the complainant or his or her representative. 37. Duty to respond to advisories or recommendations of the National Authority.- It shall be the duty of the Central government, the State Government and public servant at all levels, to take appropriate action on all advisories and recommendations issued to them by the National Authority under clause (c) of section 29 and submit an Action Taken Report within thirty days. Provided that in the event of any disagreement with the advisories or recommendations of the National Authority, the appropriate government or the public servant shall give reasons in writing to the National Authority within seven days of the receipt of the advisory or recommendation. 38. Identity of victim and informant to be protected.- The National Authority shall take appropriate action to protect the identity of the victim or informant at all times. 39. Statutory Information.- (1) It shall be the duty of any District Magistrate or Police Commissioner having knowledge or information of patterns and incidents of outbreaks of communal and targeted violence or anticipating any of these, to report to the National Authority in writing without any delay. (2). All reports received by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Home Departments of all State Governments, and District Magistrates relating to communal and targeted violence, build-up and possibilities thereof and advisories related therein shall be sent to the National Authority without any delay. 40. Statements made by persons to the National Authority.- No statement made by a person in the course of giving evidence before the National Authority, shall subject him or her to, or be used against him or her in, any civil or criminal proceedings; Provided that the statement – (i) is made in reply to the question which he or she is required by the National Authority to answer; or (ii) is relevant to the subject matter of the inquiry. 41. Annual Report.- (1) The National Authority shall prepare an Annual Report giving details of: (a) all specific advisories and recommendations issued by the National Authority under this Act; (b) details of compliance or non-compliance with the advisories, and recommendations of the National Authority, by the Central or State Government along with reasons for the same; and, (c) details of any other guideline, programme or activity performed by the National Authority
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during the year. (2) The Annual Report shall be tabled in the Parliament in the monsoon session of each calendar year. CHAPTER V STATE AUTHORITIES FOR COMMUNAL HARMONY, JUSTICE AND REPARATION 42. Constitution of State Authorities for Communal Harmony, Justice and Reparation.- (1) Each State Government shall constitute a body to be known as the ……………. (name of State) State Authority for Communal Harmony, Justice and Reparation, to exercise the powers conferred upon, and to perform the functions assigned to a State Authority under this Act. (2) The State Authority shall be a body corporate with the name aforesaid having perpetual succession and a common seal with the power, subject to the provisions of this Act to acquire, hold and dispose of property and to contract, and may, by the aforesaid name, sue or be sued. (3) The State Authority shall, with effect from such date as the State Government may by notification specify, consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chair-person and five other Members. Provided that, at all times, not less than four Members, including the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, shall belong to a group as defined under this Act. Provided further that, at all times, there shall be - 1. one Member belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes; 2. four women, whether Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member; Provided further that, at all times, one woman, whether Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member, shall belong to a religious or linguistic minority. Provided further that, at all times, not more than two Members, including the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, shall be retired public servants. (4) There shall be a Secretary, who shall be an officer of the rank of the Secretary to the Government of the State, appointed in consultation with the Chairperson of the State Authority, who shall be the Chief Executive Officer and shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions of the State Authority as it may delegate to him or her. (5) The headquarters of the State Authority shall be at such place as the State Government may, by notification, specify. 43. Appointment of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the State Authority.- (1) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the State Authority shall be appointed by the Governor by warrant under his or her hand and seal: Provided that every appointment under this sub-section shall be made after obtaining the recommendation of a Committee consisting of: (i) The Chief Minister of the State - Chairperson
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(ii) Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of the State - Member (iii) Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council of the State - Member (iv) Minister in-charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Government of the State Member (v) Chairperson of the State Human Rights Commission - Member Provided further that in States that do not have a Legislative Council, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly shall be a member of the Selection Committee. Explanation - For the purposes of this sub-section, “Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of the State” shall, when no such Leader has been so recognised, include the Leader of the single largest group in opposition of the Government in the Legislative Assembly. Explanation 2 - For the purposes of this sub-section, “the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council” shall, when no such Leader has been so recognised, include the Leader of the single largest group in opposition of the Government in the Legislative Council. (2) The process of selection shall be initiated by the State Government within three months of its constitution in the first instance and three months prior to the completion of tenure of the existing State Authority and shall be concluded within three months. (3) The decisions of the Selection Committee shall be by majority. 44. Qualifications.- (1) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the State Authority shall have the following qualifications and shall be chosen from amongst persons: (a) having expertise in relation to law or criminal justice or human rights or sociology or any other related social science; (b) having a record of promoting communal harmony; (c) being of high moral character, impartiality and integrity; and, (d) who have not been members of any political party for a period of one year prior to their selection. (2) No person shall be eligible to be appointed as a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member of the State Authority if: (a) an inquiry into an offence under any law for the time being in force, including any offence provided under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, is pending against him or her or he or she has been convicted for such offence; (b) he or she has, in any manner, exhibited bias against any group, by acts or in writing or otherwise; or (c) if subject to any disciplinary control, whether a public servant or otherwise, a disciplinary proceeding is pending against him or her, or he or she has been found guilty in any such proceeding. (3) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the State Authority shall not contest elections for a period of two years after completion of their term either under the Government
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of India or under the Government of any State except to the office of President or Vice President of the Union of India. 45. Terms of the Members of the State Authority.- (1) The Members of the State Authority shall serve on a full-time basis for a six year term. Provided that at the first selection, two members shall be appointed for a term of two years, two members for a term of four years, and the remainder appointed for a term of six years. (2) A person appointed as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson shall hold office for a term of two years from the date on which he or she enters upon his or her office. (3) A person appointed as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson shall not be eligible for re-appointment in the same capacity. (4) Except for the first election, members with two years service in the State Authority alone will be qualified to be Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. 46. Resignation and removal of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members.- (1) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or any Member may, by notice in writing under his or her hand addressed to the Governor of the State, resign from his or her office. (2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 44, the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson or any Member of the National Authority shall only be removed from his or her office by order of the President on the grounds of proven misbehavior or functional incapacity after the Supreme Court in a reference made to it by the President, has on inquiry, held, in accordance with the procedure prescribed in that behalf that the person ought on any such ground be removed. (3) Notwithstanding anything sub-section (2), the President may by order remove from office the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or any other Member if the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or any other Member, as the case may be - (a) engages during his or her term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of his or her office; or (b) is unfit to continue in office by reasons of infirmity of mind or body; or (c) is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which in the opinion of the President involves moral turpitude. 47. Vacancies in the State Authority.- (1) No act or proceedings of the State Authority shall be questioned or shall be invalidated merely on the ground of existence of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the State Authority. (2) In the event of the occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the State Authority caused by
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any reason, a selection shall be held in accordance with section 43 to fill the vacancy within two months of the vacancy arising. (3) A Member so appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the predecessor’s term and, if that period is two years or less, shall be eligible for re-selection for a full term. 48. Terms and conditions of service of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the State Authority.- The salaries and allowances payable to, and other terms and conditions of services of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government. Provided that neither the salary and allowances nor the other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or a Member shall be varied to his or her disadvantage after his or her appointment. 49. Procedure to be regulated by the State Authority.- (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, the State Authority shall have the power to lay down, its own procedure. (2) All orders and decisions of the State Authority shall be authenticated by the Secretary or any other officer of the State Authority duly authorized by the Chairperson of the State Authority in this behalf. 50. Officers and other staff of the State Authority.- (1) The State Government shall make available to the State Authority such police and investigative staff under an officer not below the rank of Inspector General of Police and such other officers and staff as may be necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the State Authority. (2) Subject to such rules as may be made by the State Government in this behalf, the State Authority may appoint such other administrative, technical staff as it may consider necessary. (3) The salaries, allowances and conditions of service of the officers and other staff appointed under sub-section (2) shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government. 51. Functions of the State Authority.- The State Authority shall perform all or any of the following functions on its own or through persons appointed by it, namely:- (a) receive and collect information, through any means in whatsoever manner including under directions issued by the National Authority, on: (i) any acts that indicate a build up by State or non-state actors towards communal and targeted violence; (ii) any form of communication, propaganda, mobilisation or the activities of persons, which may promote enmity or hatred against groups. (b) issue advisories and recommendations to State and non-state actors in relation to clause (a) and section 52;
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Provided that where the information received pertains to organised communal and targeted violence, the State Authority shall not issue any advisories or recommendations to the State or non-state actors but may recommend to the National Authority that such advisories or recommendations be issued; Provided further that where any State Authority has not commenced an inquiry in accordance with powers vested under this Act or has not submitted an inquiry report to the National Authority within ninety days from the date of commencement of inquiry, the National Authority shall inquire into the matter. Provided further that where the National Authority has commenced an inquiry or investigation into any information received through any source, in relation to any matter relating to its functions under this Act, no State Authority shall inquire or investigate into the same. (c) implement schemes made by the National Authority under clause (d) of section 29; (d) appoint such number of Human Rights Defender for Justice and Reparations in accordance with section 54 as may be deemed necessary; (e) prepare regular reports at least once every quarter on incidents, outbreaks and patterns of communal and targeted violence and submit it before the National Authority; (f) visit, under intimation to the State Government, any relief camp under the control of the State Government, where internally displaced persons reside, to study the living conditions of such persons; (g) visit, under intimation to State Government, any jails or any other institution under the control of the State Government where persons are detained or lodged for the purposes of inquiry or investigation into any offence under this Act; (h) ensure timely and effective investigation and prosecution of offences under this Act, including offences by public servants; (i) intervene in any proceeding, involving any allegation of communal and targeted violence pending before a court, with approval of such court; (j) such other functions that the National Authority may consider necessary and entrust to the State Authority for the preservation of communal harmony and prevention and control of communal and targeted violence. 52. Monitoring and review by State Authority of performance of duties.- The State Authority shall observe, monitor and review the performance of duties by public servants in relation to the following: (i) effectiveness of steps taken by public servant for prevention of communal and targeted violence; (ii) recording of information where offences under this Act have been committed; (iii) provision of timely and adequate measures related to relief, rehabilitation, reparation and restitution of all persons entitled under section 87 including those registered under section 95, in accordance with provisions of this Act. 53. Application of certain provisions relating to the National Authority to the State Authority.- The provisions of section 31 shall apply to a State Authority and shall have effect,
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subject to the modification that references to “National Authority” shall be construed as references to “State Authority”. 54. Defender for Justice and Reparations.- (1) The State Authority may invite nominations from non-governmental organisations, civil society or individuals to appoint, for each district, such number of non-governmental organisations or individuals as it may be necessary, who shall be known as the ‘Human Rights Defender for Justice and Reparations’ to perform the functions assigned to it under this Act. (2) The nominations received under sub-section (1) shall be duly examined by the State Authority to appoint a Human Rights Defender for Justice and Reparations for a period of three years and who shall be a non-governmental organisation or individual who has expertise in relation to law or human rights and has a record of preserving communal harmony. (3) The Human Rights Defender for Justice and Reparations shall function to ensure that all persons, whether or not they belong to a group as defined under this Act, affected by communal and targeted violence and entitled to benefits under section 87, are able to access their rights under the Constitution of India or this Act or any other law for the time being in force, and for the aforesaid purpose, do all such things as may be necessary to achieve that objective of access to justice. (4) The Human Rights Defender for Justice and Reparations may bring to the notice of the concerned State Authority any act or omission that amounts to an offence under this Act and shall strive towards building and maintaining communal harmony. CHAPTER VI INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION AND TRIAL 55. Application of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.- Provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, shall apply to this Act, save and except as amended or supplemented to the extent provided under this Chapter, in relation to offences committed under this Act. 56. Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable.- Unless otherwise specified under Schedule I of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, all offences specified under this Act, shall be cognizable and non-bailable. 57. Translated true copy of information to be given within seven days. – (1) A true translated copy of information recorded under sub-section (2) of section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, shall be supplied forthwith, free of cost, to the informant or victim in the language understood by him or her. (2) Where any information is received through electronic communication including electronic mail or fax, such electronic communication shall be recorded fully and accurately in such a
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manner that the original content of such electronic communication is not lost in translation and a copy of such electronic communication shall be appended to the true translated copy of information recorded and supplied to the informant or victim under sub-section (1). 58. Inaccurate recording of information.- Any informant who believes that the information referred to in sub-section (1) of section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was not recorded accurately or fully, or who fails to get a copy of the recorded information if submitted orally or through electronic communication, may send the substance of such information, in writing and by post, to the concerned Superintendant of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police as the case may be, who, if satisfied that such information discloses the commission of an offence under this Act, shall either investigate the case himself or herself or direct an investigation to be made by an police officer subordinate to him or her, in the manner provided under this Act, and such officer shall have all the powers of an officer in-charge of the station in relation to that offence. 59. Recording of information in relief camps.- (1) It shall be the duty of a police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police to visit every relief camp within three days of its establishment to conduct an inquiry and record statements into the circumstances and cause of each individual being displaced and put in a relief camp. (2) The statements under sub-section (1) shall be recorded in the presence of two respectable citizens belonging to the same group as the informant or victim and must be attested by them and all such statements shall be treated as being statements under sub-section (3) of section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Provided that where the victim of sexual assault is a woman or child, the information shall be recorded by a Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commissioner of Police, as the case may be, who is a woman. Provided further that where any statement recorded under this section discloses a cognizable offence, it shall be deemed to be information recorded under section 154, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. 60. Investigation by Senior Police Officers.- No police officer below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commissioner of Police, as the case may be, shall investigate any offence contained in sections 7 to 17 (both inclusive) of this Act. 61. Women Police Officers.- Where the offence of sexual assault is committed against a woman or a child, the investigation, as far as possible, shall be conducted by a woman police officer. 62. Recording of statements or evidence during investigation.- (1) The Investigating Officer may, during investigation into any offence under this Act, produce the victim or the informant, when such informant is victim, before a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate, as the case may be, for recording his or her statement under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
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Provided that the victim shall have the right to have his or her advocate present at the time of recording of such statement and a copy of the statement so recorded should be provided to him or her. (2) Any statement of a person other than the person mentioned in sub-section (1) may be recorded by the Investigating Officer under section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 or by the Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate under section 164 thereof, as the case may be. (3) Any Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate may, whether or not he or she has territorial jurisdiction in the case, shall on a request, record any statement under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 or receive affidavit from any victim, informant or witnesses made to him or her during the investigation under this Act but before the commencement of the inquiry or trial: (a) Any statement (other than a confession) made under sub-section (2) shall be recorded in the manner provided for the recording of evidence, or in the opinion of the said Magistrate best suited to the circumstances of the case; and the said Magistrate shall have the power to administer oath to the person whose statement is so recorded. (b) The Magistrate recording a statement under this section shall forward it to the Designated Judge by whom the case is to be inquired into or tried. (4) The victim, informant or witness may also send such statement to the National Authority or the State Authority for necessary action. 63. Medical Examination of victim.- (1) For investigation of offences under this Act causing any physical injury to a victim, the medical examination shall be conducted without any delay by at least two registered medical practitioners employed in a hospital run by the government or a local authority and in the absence of such practitioners by any other registered medical practitioners, with the consent of such victim or of a person competent to give such consent on behalf of the victim. (2) In cases of sexual assault, the medical examination shall be conducted by at least two registered medical practitioners of whom one shall be a woman in the manner prescribed under section 164A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the expression “woman” thereunder shall be read to include a “man”. (3) For investigation of offences under this Act resulting in death, the post-mortem shall be conducted by a Board consisting of three registered medical practitioners one of whom shall be a woman. (4) The post-mortem conducted under sub-section (3) shall be done in the presence of a representative of the victim if so requested by him or her and the entire procedure shall be videographed and photographed and a copy of which shall be attached with the Medical Report.
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(5) The copy of the report of the medical examination under sub-section (1) and (2) or report of the post-mortem under sub-section (3), shall be given within forty-eight hours of completion of the medical examination or post-mortem, to the investigating agency and the victim or his or her representatives, as the case may be. Provided that where chemical analysis is done, the report of the chemical analysis shall be made available to the investigating agency and the victim within fifteen days. 64. Videographic and photographic evidence.- The collection of evidence relating to an offence under this Act shall include videographing and or photographing of the scene of crime and the same shall form a part of the report of the case under section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Provided that in the event of any failure to record such evidence, the same shall not vitiate the trial in any manner. 65. Preservation of records and documents.- (1) Where any offence under this Act has been committed, the concerned police officer within whose jurisdiction such offence has been committed shall preserve records including records of the police control room, case diary, station diary or any other record that is in any way concerned with the investigation of the offence. (2) Where any offence under this Act has been committed, the Superintendent of Police, within whose jurisdiction such offence has been committed, shall notify all hospitals, whether public or private, to preserve all medical and hospital records and all such hospitals shall be bound to preserve such records. (3) Where any offence under this Act has been committed, the Superintendent of Police within whose jurisdiction such offence has been committed, shall notify all telecommunication service providers, whether public or private, to preserve all records in appropriate data storage form and all such service providers shall be bound to preserve such records in the appropriate data form. Provided that records under this section shall be preserved for a minimum period of fifty years or after the conclusion of legal proceedings in the concerned case, whichever is later. Provided further that such preserved records may be destroyed on or after the expiry of the fifty year period, with the prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Central Government or in the Government of the State, as the case may be. 66. Right of victim to information during investigation.- (1) The Superintendent of Police, or officer designated by him or her shall inform the victim in writing about the progress of investigations into the offence, whether or not the offender has been arrested, charge-sheeted, granted bail, charged, convicted or sentenced, and if a person has been charged with the offence, then the name of the suspected offender.
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(2) The victim shall have the right to receive a copy of any statement of the witness recorded during trial, and a copy of all statements and documents filed under section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 including the charge-sheet or closure report submitted by police. 67. Information to National Authority or State Authority regarding delayed or biased investigations.- (1) A victim or informant aggrieved about any procedure of investigation including the lack of impartiality or fairness, the biased nature or the failure of the investigating agency to receive evidence or examine witnesses in relation to offences committed under the Act shall have the right to make a complaint in this regard to the National Authority or the State Authority constituted under this Act. (2) Where on a complaint received under sub-section (1), it appears that there has been a lack of impartiality or fairness or was biased on the part of the investigating agency or that it failed to receive evidence or examine a witness in course of investigation, the National Authority or the State Authority may request the State Government to order a further investigation or re-investigation in the manner provided under section 68 to investigate offences under this Act. 68. Further Investigation or re-investigation.- (1) Where: (a) no report under section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, is filed within a period of ninety days from the date of recording of information under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; or, (b) the National Authority or the State Authority on an inquiry made under sub-section (2) of section 67 has come to the conclusion that the investigation of an offence under this Act was not carried out in a fair, impartial or unbiased manner requests the State Government to order a further investigation or re-investigation, the investigating officer shall file a report with the Inspector General of Police in relation to the investigation so conducted, giving reasons for the failure to file within the prescribed time, such report as contained in clause (a) or the circumstances leading to the request under clause (b) and action taken thereon. (2) The report filed under sub-section (1) shall be reviewed the Directorate of Prosecution where such Directorate is constituted under section 25A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, or where no such Directorate is constituted, by a committee constituted by the State Government, headed by an officer of the level of an Inspector General of Police, and which may pass such orders for further investigation or a re-investigation by another officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police wherever it comes to the conclusion that, having regard to the nature of investigation already carried out, such investigation would be necessary. (3) The Directorate of Prosecution or the review committee constituted under sub-section (2), as the case may be, may also review cases of such offences where the trial ends in acquittal or in an inappropriate sentence and issue orders for filing appeal, wherever required.
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69. Judicial inquiry into occurrence of organised communal and targeted violence.- (1) Where the offence of organised communal and targeted violence, contained under section 9, occurs, the State Government shall order an inquiry to be conducted by a Judge of the High Court of the State in which such violence occurs, in addition to the investigation held by the police, into the discharge of public functions by the public servants legally bound to prevent the occurrence of such violence. (2) The inquiry referred to in sub-section (1) shall, in no case, commence later than ninety days from the date of occurrence of organised communal and targeted violence. (3) All the powers under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 as if the Judge of the High Court were holding an inquiry under the said Act. (4) The Judge of the High Court holding an inquiry under this section shall inter alia inquire into whether due diligence was exercised by such public servant in the discharge of duty. (5) Where the Judge of the High Court holding an inquiry under this section finds upon evidence that the conduct of the public servant constitutes dereliction of duty as defined under this Act, he or she shall direct that information be recorded under section 154, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, against such public servant. EVIDENCE 70. Evidentiary standard for sexual assault.- Upon the sole testimony of the victim of sexual assault, the Designated Judge appointed under this Act may conclude that an offence of sexual assault has been committed by the accused against the said victim. Provided that in a prosecution for the offence of sexual assault, it shall not be permissible to put questions in the cross-examination of the victim as to his or her general immoral character or to rely on any evidence of such victim’s previous sexual conduct. 71. Inference from nature and circumstances of the act.- Where any question arises whether an offence committed against a member of a group was committed against him or her by virtue of his or her membership of a group, it shall be inferred that it was so directed from the nature and circumstances of the act. 72. Presumptions as to offences under this Act.- (1) If in a prosecution for any offence committed under this Act, it is shown that the accused committed or abetted or conspired to commit the offence of hate propaganda under section 8, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that the offence committed was knowingly directed against a person by virtue of his or her membership of a group. (2) Whenever an offence of organised communal and targeted violence is committed and it is shown that a hostile environment against a group exists or the offence of hate propaganda under section 8 was committed against a group, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is
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proved, that the said offence was knowingly directed against persons belonging to the group by virtue of their membership of the group. INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS 73. Waiver of immunity.- (1) Save and excepting those provided under the Constitution or under this Act, immunities or special procedural rules which may attach to the official capacity of any person, shall not bar any proceedings under this Act. (2) The defence of sovereign immunity will not be available for offences committed under this Act. 74. Sanction not required for certain offences.- The provision of section 196 and 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 shall not apply to offences by public servants under Schedule III and the Designated Judge may take cognizance of such offence when satisfied that the said offence has been committed. Provided that prosecution of an offence by a public servant other than those requiring sanction under section 196 and 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 shall not be held up for want of sanction for a related offence by the same public servant. 75. Prosecution for offences by the state and public servants.- (1) Where an application for sanction for prosecution of a public servant has been made under section 196 and 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Central Government in relation to the Union Territories or the State Government, as the case may be, does not communicate the order granting or refusing sanction to prosecute such public servant within a period of thirty days from the date on which such application is made, the sanction applied for shall be deemed to have been granted on the expiration of the said period of thirty days and the Designated Judge appointed under this Act shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act. (2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), sanction shall not be refused, except with reasons to be recorded in writing. 76. Special Public Prosecutors.- (1) For every State, the concerned State Government shall, by notification in the official gazette, appoint a panel of Special Public Prosecutors for prosecuting offences under this Act, and who shall be deemed to be Special Public Prosecutors under sub-section (8) of section 24 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 within the meaning of clause (u) of section 2 thereof. (2) Special Public Prosecutors shall conduct the prosecution of offences under this Act in a fair and impartial manner and in the interest of justice. In the event the Special Public Prosecutor conducts the prosecution in a biased manner against the interest of the informant or the victim, the State Government may, on its own or on information received from a victim or informant, replace the Special Public Prosecutor.
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DESIGNATED JUDGES 77. Power to appoint Designated Judges.- (1) The Central Government in relation to the Union Territories or the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette appoint as many Designated Judges in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court as it may be necessary for such case or group of cases as may be specified in the notification to try the following offences: (a) any offence punishable under this Act; and (b) any conspiracy to commit or any attempt to commit or any abetment of any of the offences specified in clause (a). (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), if, having regard to the exigencies of the situation prevailing in a State, the Government is of the opinion that it is expedient to appoint, Additional Designated Judges outside the State, for the trial of such offences specified under sub-section (1), the trial whereof within the State – (a) is not likely to be fair or impartial or completed with utmost dispatch; or (b) is not likely to be feasible without occasioning a breach of peace or grave risk to the safety of the accused, the witnesses, the Public Prosecutor and the Judge or any of them; or (c) is not otherwise in the interests of justice, it may request the Central Government to appoint, in relation to such offences under sub-section (1), an Additional Designated Judge outside the State and thereupon the Central Government may, after taking into account the information furnished by the State Government and making such inquiry, if any, as it may deem fit, appoint, by notification, such Additional Designated Judge at such place outside the State as may be specified in the notification. (3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Designated Judge or Additional Designated Judge under this Act unless he or she is or has been a Sessions Judge under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. 78. Cases triable by Designated Judges.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, or in any other law for the time being in force, the offences specified under this Act shall be tried by Designated Judges appointed under this Act. (2) Every offence specified under this Act shall be tried by the Designated Judge for the area within which it was committed, or, as the case may be, by the Designated Judge appointed for the case, or where there are more Designated Judges than one for such area, by such one of them as may be specified in this behalf by the State Government. (3) When trying the accused person, a Designated Judge may also try any offence, other than an offence specified under this Act, with which the accused may, under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, be charged at the same trial if the offence is connected with the offence under this Act.
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(4) If, in the course of any trial under this Act, it is found that the accused person has committed any offence, the Special Court may, whether such offence is or is not an offence under this Act, convict such person of such offence and pass any sentence authorised by law for the punishment thereof. (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, a Designated Judge shall hold the trial of an offence on day-to-day basis save and except for reasons beyond the control of anyone. 79. Procedure and power of the Designated Judge.- (1) A Designated Judge, appointed under this Act may take cognizance of offences without the accused being committed to him or her for trial. (2) In trying the accused persons, the Designated Judge shall follow the procedure for the trial of warrant cases prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. (3) Save as provided in sub-sections (1) or sub-section (2), the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, shall, so far as they are not inconsistent with this Act, apply to the proceedings before a Designated Judge; and for the purposes of the said provisions, the Court of the Designated Judge shall be deemed to be a Court of Session and the person conducting a prosecution before a Designated Judge shall be deemed to be a Special Public Prosecutor as provided under this Act. (4) A Designated Judge may pass upon any person convicted by him or her any sentence authorized under this Act for the punishment of the offence of which such person is convicted. 80. Attachment of property.- (1) Where the charge has been framed in relation to an offence under this Act, the Designated Judge may direct that the property of the accused person, which has been gained by him or her as a result of the commission of that offence, to be attached during the pendency of the trial and until conviction or acquittal, as the case may be. (2) The provision under section 60 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 shall apply in relation to property being attached under this section. 81. Sale of attached property on conviction.- Where upon conviction, the Designated Judge imposes a fine in addition to any other sentence under this Act, he or she may direct the property attached under section 80 to be sold and proceeds thereof to be paid and the amount so recovered be applied in defraying the expenses properly incurred by the Central Government or the State Government in discharge of its functions under sections 89, 90, 95, 96, and 104 of this Act. 82. Removal of person likely to commit an offence under this Act.- (1) Where a Designated Judge is satisfied, suo moto or upon a complaint or a police report that a person is likely to
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commit an offence under this Act in any area in a State, it may, by order in writing, direct such person to remove himself or herself beyond the limit of such area, by such route and within such time as may be specified in the order, and not to return to that area from which he or she was directed to remove himself or herself for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the order. (2) The Designated Judge shall, along with the order under sub-section (1), communicate to the person directed under that sub-section the grounds on which such order has been made. (3) The Designated Judge may revoke or modify the order made under sub-section (1), for the reasons to be recorded in writing, on the representation made by the person against whom such order has been made or by any other person on his or her behalf within thirty days from the date of the order. 83. Rights of victims during trial under this Act.- (1) It shall be the duty and responsibility of the State for making arrangements for the protection of victims, and witnesses against any kind of intimidation, coercion or inducement or violence or threats of violence. (2) A victim shall be treated with fairness, respect and dignity and with due regard to any special need that arises because of the victim’s age or gender or educational disadvantage or poverty. (3) A victim shall have the right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any court proceeding including any bail proceeding. Provided that the Special Public Prosecutor or the State Government shall inform the victim about any proceedings under this Act. (4) A victim shall have the right to apply to the Court to summon parties for production of any documents or material witnesses or examine persons present. (5) A victim shall be entitled to be heard at any proceeding under this Act in respect of bail, discharge, release, parole, conviction or sentence of an accused or any connected proceedings or arguments and file written submissions on conviction, acquittal or sentencing. (6) A victim shall be entitled to receive free legal aid and to engage any advocate who he or she chooses from among those enrolled in the legal aid panel under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 or any other advocate of their choice and the Legal Aid Services Authority established under the said Act shall pay all costs, expenses and fees of the advocate appointed by the victim or informant at a rate not less than the fees payable to the Special Public Prosecutor. 84. Protection of victims, informants and witnesses.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the Designated Judge trying a case under this Act shall provide to a victim, informant or witness complete protection to secure the ends of justice.
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(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), such protection for the victim, informant or witness may extend to the following provisions: (a) relocation; (b) travelling and maintenance expenses during investigation and trial; and, (c) social-economic rehabilitation during investigation and trial. (3) The State shall inform the concerned Designated Judge under sub-section (1) of section 77 about the protection provided to any victim, informant or witnesses and the Designated Judge shall periodically review the protection being offered under this section and pass appropriate orders. (4) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), a Designated Judge may, on an application made by a victim, informant or witness in any proceedings before it or by the Special Public Prosecutor in relation to such victim, informant or witness or on its own motion, take such measures including: (a) not mentioning the names and addresses of the witnesses in its orders or judgments or in any records of the case accessible to the public; (b) issuing directions for non-disclosure of the identity and addresses of the witnesses; (c) immediately dealing with any complaint of harassment of a victim, informant or witness and on the same day, pass appropriate orders for protection; Provided that inquiry or investigation into the complaint received under clause (c) shall be tried separately from the main case by the Designated Judge and concluded within six months from the date of receipt of the complaint; Provided further that where the complaint under clause (c) is against any public servant, the court shall forthwith restrain such public servant from interfering with the victim, informant or witness, as the case may be, in any matter related or unrelated to the pending case, except with the specific permission of the Designated Judge. (5) It shall be the duty of the Investigating Officer and the Station House Officer to record the complaint of victim, informant or witnesses against any kind of intimidation, coercion or inducement or violence or threats of violence, whether given orally or in writing, and a copy of the same shall be sent to the State Authority within twenty-four hours of recording it. A victim shall also be entitled to lodge the said complaint with the District legal Services Authority. (6) The officers in charge of the District Legal Services Authority upon receipt of any complaint under sub-section (5) shall forward the same to the concerned Designated Judge within twenty-four hours. (7) The Member of the State Authority, if such a Member is available preferably from the concerned district, shall visit the office of the District Legal Services Authority once in a week to monitor complaints of intimidation, coercion or violence on victim, informant or witness and scrutinize the follow-up action taken on the same. To ensure effective follow up action and
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protection, the said Member of the State Authority shall have the power to move the concerned Designated Judge as and when required. 85. Record of court proceedings.- All proceedings related to offences under this Act shall be video recorded. 86. Appeal and revision.- (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the High Court may exercise, so far as they may be applicable, all powers of appeal and revision conferred by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, on a High Court as if the court of the Designated Judge were a Court of Session trying cases within local limits of the High Court. (2) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within sixty days from the date of the judgment, sentence or order. Provided that the High Court having jurisdiction may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said sixty days if it is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the said period of sixty days. CHAPTER VII REMEDY AND REPARATIONS 87. Right to remedy and reparations.- (1) Any person, whether or not he or she belongs to a group as defined under this Act, who has suffered physical, mental, psychological or monetary harm or harm to his or her property as a result of the commission of any offence under this Act, or when death has occurred as a consequence thereof, the next of kin of such deceased person shall be entitled to remedy and reparations including compensation, restitution and rehabilitation as applicable to them in accordance with the provisions under this Chapter. (2) Where the death of any person has occurred as a consequence of the commission of an offence under this Act, the compensation for such death shall be paid to the next of kin being the wife or husband, as the case may be, parent and child, if any, and shall be divided amongst the before-mentioned parties, or any of them, in equal parts. 88. Duty to provide remedy and reparations.- (1) The State Government through the office of the Collector shall provide remedy and reparations including compensation, restitution and rehabilitation to all persons entitled under section 87 in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, or under any other law for the time being in force, it shall be the duty of each Collector, either by himself or herself or through his or her subordinates, to ensure that there is adequate supervision and control over the performance of the obligations under this Chapter.
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89. Duty to ensure immediate safety of persons and property.- (1) The State Government in co-ordination with the Chief-Secretary of the State, the Inspector General of Police, Superintendents of Police or Commissioner of Police, as the case may be, and the Collector shall ensure that any person mentioned under section 87, whose life, liberty or property is threatened, or where he or she apprehends such threat, is immediately provided security including creating police outposts and pickets in the vicinity of the affected area and providing temporary relocation if necessary. (2) The State Government and the Collector shall ensure that that all properties of such person mentioned in section 87, whether movable or immovable are protected, in particular, against destruction, vandalism, appropriation, occupation, waste, damage, alienation, misuse, sale or transfer by any means. (3) Any alienation of property of such persons attributable to communal and targeted violence referred to in sub-section (2) shall be void. 90. Establishment of Relief Camps.- (1) When organised communal and targeted violence occurs, the State Government shall establish relief camps in safe locations for the internally displaced persons. Provided that such relief camps shall not be closed unless all internally displaced persons have been voluntarily rehabilitated in accordance with section 96. (2) A relief camps established under sub-section (1) shall continue to be operated by the State Government until all internally displaced persons residing in that relief camp return to their original habitations, or are resettled in a new suitable location. (3) Relief camps established under sub-section (1) shall, at the minimum, regardless of the circumstances and without discrimination, provide the internally displaced persons with: (a) basic shelter which is appropriate and adequate to protect the residents of the camps from extremes of the weather, and which provides due privacy especially to women and girls; (b) 24 hour security at the relief camp; (c) adequate nutritious and culturally appropriate food; (d) potable drinking water; (e) adequate clothing which is culturally appropriate and sufficient to protect the residents of the camp from extremes of weather; (f) essential medical services including antenatal and postnatal care of expectant mothers, pediatric care and emergency and rehabilitative services for the injured and referral services wherever necessary; (g) adequate sanitation; (h) psycho-social and trauma counseling and psychiatric services; (i) child-care services for infants and small children; (j) educational facilities for children;
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(k) special facilities and assistance, as may be necessary and reasonable for the medical condition and treatment of certain residents of the relief camps, such as children, especially unaccompanied minors, expectant mothers, mothers with young children, female heads of households, elderly and disabled persons with special needs; (l) full access to members of the National Authority and State Authority. 91. Duties in relation to relief camps.- Until such time internally displaced persons are located in relief camps, it shall be duty of the State Government and, in particular, the Collector, either by himself or herself or through his or her subordinates to ensure the following: (a) an environment free from any exposure to or occurrence of any form of sexual assault, exploitation, intimidation, violence, or forced labour in the relief camps; (b) provision for family members of one household unit to remain in the same relief camp or if they wish, relocate together to another relief camp, or if separated, then to enable them to reunite as soon as possible by taking all steps to expedite the location and reunion of such families, particularly children and parents; (c) establishment of a single window system to complete all administrative formalities in relation to provision of quick relief and rehabilitation, including making available identity documents, certificates, ration cards, passports, speedy disposal of insurance and other claims, provision for certification of loss or damage of educational or other certificates or ownership or other documents in respect of all such persons; (d) restoration of all official documents of all such persons that include but are not limited to ration cards, property proofs, government cards and identities, school and college related documents, election cards at the earliest but in any case not later than three months shall be the responsibility of the State Government; (e) facilitation for the students affected by organised communal and targeted violence to appear for any examination, condoning delays caused by such violence, and to provide for such facilitation, including creating support centres for the same. (f) provision for victims to file information in relation to offences under this Act and record statements in pursuance of any complaints related to organised communal and targeted violence; (g) provision for all internally displaced persons to claim and receive compensation while still in the relief camps; (h) provision of a single window system for all internally displaced persons to make enquiries and give information about the status and whereabouts of missing family members, relatives or friends and assist them in receiving such information as desired with regard to the progress of investigation of the whereabouts and condition of such missing persons; (i) access to legal aid in the prosecution of offences under this Act. Provided that special efforts shall be made to ensure the full participation of the internally displaced persons residing in the relief camps and, in particular, women, in the planning and distribution of basic services and supplies; Provided further that such assistance may be organized with the help of individuals and groups including human rights groups, and professionals or groups qualified in the providing
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specialized services to such persons including women’s groups, child rights groups and support groups of persons mentioned under section 87. 92. State Assessment Committee.- (1) A State Assessment Committee shall be formed in each State by the appropriate Government to assess aspects of reparations in the event of occurrence of organized communal and targeted violence. (2) The State Assessment Committee under sub-section (1) shall comprise the following: (a) Chairperson of State Human Rights Commission - Chairperson, ex-officio (b) Chief Secretary of the State - Member (c) Member of a human rights organisation approved by the National Authority - Member 93. Functions of the State Assessment Committee.- The State Assessment Committee shall perform the following functions: (a) duly inform all internally displaced persons, including those affected by the organised communal and targeted violence, whether or not residing in a relief camp, of the procedure and the purpose of the assessment; (b) conduct, in accordance with section 94, a survey of the injury to life and property in relation to offences committed under this Act for the purposes of restitution in the affected area; (c) prepare, in accordance with section 95, a list of internally displaced persons including any person mentioned under section 87, identified through the survey so conducted; (d) assess and certify loss or damage caused by organised communal and targeted violence for the purposes of section 96; (e) appropriately rehabilitate restoring all rights of and provision of services to all persons entitled under section 87 in accordance with section 96; (f) make an assessment, including gathering of necessary data and information, at the site of violence of damage to life, liberty and property; (g) prepare a budget including estimated expenditure of various components of rehabilitation and resettlement activities or programmes in consultation with representatives of the affected families. 94. Survey by State Assessment Committee.- (1) Every survey by the State Assessment Committee under clause (b) of section 93 shall contain the following area-wise (village or locality), as the State Assessment Committee may deem fit, information of all internally displaced persons including any person entitled under section 87, whether or not he or she resides in a relief camp, namely:— (a) families including dependants belonging to a group who are permanently residing, engaged in any trade, business, occupation or vocation in the area affected by organised communal and targeted violence;
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(b) families including dependants that have lost or have been displaced from their place of ordinary residence, agricultural land, estate, employment or are alienated wholly or substantially from the main source of their trade, business, occupation or vocation; (c) agricultural labourers, non-agricultural labourers, professionals, businessmen etc; (d) the disabled, destitute, orphans, widows, elderly or any other category of persons deemed particularly vulnerable in the circumstances because they are not provided or cannot immediately be provided with alternative livelihood, and who are not otherwise covered as part of a family; (e) means of alternative livelihood where there is a situation of social, political or economic boycott; (f) possibilities of conflict and effect thereof especially on youth and children in the event of their translocation; (2) While conducting the survey and undertaking assessment under sub-section (1), the State Assessment Committee shall take into consideration the impact of organized communal and targeted violence on the assets and infrastructure, applicable municipal tax, applicable circle rate tax of the locality, drainage, sanitation, sources of drinking water, sources of water, for cattle, community ponds, grazing land, plantations, public utilities, such as post offices, fair price shops, food storage godowns, electricity supply, health care facilities, schools and educational or training facilities, places of worship, burial and cremation grounds, livelihood options. (3) The survey and assessment shall be completed within a period of forty-five days from the date of the constitution of the State Assessment Committee and all infrastructural and other facilities as required by the State Assessment Committee shall be provided by the State Government without any delay. 95. Registration of persons injured by organised communal and targeted violence.- (1) The State Assessment Committee shall register the names of all persons who have suffered injury as a result of offences under section 9, including internally displaced persons and those mentioned under section 87, when information relating to the commission of such an offence is recorded. (2) The registration of persons mentioned under sub-section (1) shall be made within fifteen days of the appointment of the State Assessment Committee and issued an appropriate identity-card to avail measures under this Chapter. (3) Where any person is aggrieved by the non-inclusion of his or her name in the list of persons entitled prepared by the State Assessment Committee under sub-section (1), he or she may approach the State Assessment Committee with the request to include his or her name in such a list and the State Assessment Committee, if satisfied that the aggrieved person is a victim or internally displaced person or entitled under section 87, shall add the said name to the list so prepared.
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(4) Where any person is aggrieved by the refusal of the State Assessment Committee to include his or her name in the list so prepared under sub-section (1), he or she may prefer an appeal to the National Authority under clause (b) of section 29. 96. Restitution and rehabilitation.- (1) The State Government shall ensure reparations to internally displaced persons, whether or not such persons are residing in a relief camp or to any person entitled under section 87 by adopting measures for restitution and implementing comprehensive rehabilitation plans. Provided that the process of rehabilitation shall ensure full participation of such persons. Provided further that the rehabilitation of such persons be declared by them to be entirely voluntary. Provided further that the rehabilitation as provided in this section, to be made in consultation with the National Authority. Provided further that the State Government shall make the said reparations on the basis of the survey conducted by the State Assessment Committee under section 94. (2) Restitution and rehabilitation shall include: (a) resettlement of the family or persons entitled under section 95 in homes, dwellings and places of livelihood affected by organised communal and targeted violence, either in the existing locations or such new locations, as the case may be, by restoring them to levels not less than those prevailing before such violence occurred or fresh construction of the same in new resettlement colonies or allocation of suitable land for the same; (b) restoration of employment or provision of alternate employment, including the tools or means of livelihood and provision of soft loans where necessary; (c) restoration and repair of places of worship or sacred sites damaged or destroyed during the commission of the said offence under this Act and construction of places of worship in resettlement colonies as requested by such persons enlisted under section 95; (d) restoration of all civic amenities in and around the original habitations at least equivalent to those prevailing before the occurrence of organized communal and targeted violence, or provision of civic amenities in new resettlement sites or colonies, as the case may be; (e) reconstruction to their original condition, all community structures, including schools and health centers and means of livelihood destroyed or damaged, during commission of offences under this Act, or construction of new community structures in resettlement sites and colonies, as the case may be; (f) long-term psychological counseling for all and particularly, to victims of sexual assault; (g) necessary and appropriate provisions for rehabilitation of women, including community-based rehabilitation of those widowed; (h) appropriate provisions for rehabilitation of children identified in the list under section 95 including community based rehabilitation for those orphaned and appropriate arrangements for their continuing education.
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97. Duty to establish conditions to enable return.- The Central Government in relation to the Union Territories or the State Government, as the case may be, shall establish conditions and provide means to enable internally displaced persons enlisted under section 95 to return to their place of ordinary residence or livelihood in safety and with dignity, protected against any threat, intimidation or attack to their life, liberty or property, provided that; (a) such return shall in all cases be declared by such persons to be entirely voluntary; (b) the concerned public authorities shall ensure the full participation of all persons residing in the relief camp in the planning and management of their return or resettlement. 98. Powers to summon witnesses and take evidence.- In addition to the powers conferred by the Act, the State Assessment Committee shall have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while carrying out their functions, in respect of the following matters, namely- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath; (b) discovery and production of any document; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; (e) any other matter which may be prescribed. 99. Compensation.- (1) It shall be the duty of the Central Government in relation to the Union Territories or the State Government, as the case may be, to provide appropriate compensation in accordance with Schedule IV and as assessed under this Act by the District Assessment Committee established under sub-section (1) of section 104, to any person mentioned under section 87 or any internally displaced person, whether or not such person resides in a relief camp, in accordance with principles under section 100. (2) Compensation under sub-section (1) shall be made in the following manner: (a) Within thirty days of the date of the incident of communal or targeted violence, whether organised or not, a minimum ex-gratia compensation in accordance with the Schedule IV of this Act. Provided that no compensation for injury resulting in death shall be less than rupees fifteen lakhs; Provided further that the concerned government in the case of a minor shall, and in the case of a woman may, with the consent of such woman, dispense the awarded ex-gratia compensation by way of a monthly pension deposited in a bank account in the name of the minor or such woman, as the case may be. Provided further that in case of need, the guardian of the minor may apply to the District Court to withdraw the money. Provided further that compensation under Schedule IV shall be revised every three years by the Central Government in consultation with the National Authority and the said revision shall be published by notification in the Official Gazette; (b) In addition to the compensation paid under clause (a) above, compensation shall be
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payable to such person as determined by the District Assessment Committee in accordance with the provisions contained in this Chapter. Provided that for the determination of such additional compensation, the Central Government shall by rules create a multiplier method of arriving at compensation or any other method known to law taking into consideration section 101. 100. Principles for assessment of compensation.- (1) While determining compensation under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 99, the District Assessment Committee, shall not discriminate against persons entitled under section 87, including those registered under section 95, on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. (2) The amount of compensation under this Act shall be such that a person is restored to levels of housing, habitat, means of livelihood and economic standards including all social and civic facilities, which are at par or better than those that he or she enjoyed before the commission of an offence under this Act. (3) While determining compensation under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 99, the District Assessment Committee, shall take into consideration the gravity of the violation of rights and the compensation shall be proportional to the gravity thereof. (4) Subject to sub-section (3), a reasonable compensation for loss due to injury to the property, shall be awarded to such person so as to enable him or her to reconstruct or restore his or her property to its original condition. 101. Compensation to be made for.- The assessment of compensation, in addition to compensation paid under Schedule IV, shall be made for: (a) injury to public property; (b) injury to private property; (c) bodily injury caused to a person or death; (d) moral injury; (e) material injury and loss of earnings, including lost opportunities of employment, education and social benefits; (f) psychological injury caused to such person; (g) cost of the actions by the authorities and police to take preventive and other actions; (h) required for legal or expert assistance, medicine and medical services, and psychological and social services. 102. District Assessment Committee.- (1) The State Government shall, by notification, establish a District Assessment Committee in respect of each district in the State, to perform such functions assigned to it under this Act and to assist the State Assessment Committee in the performance of its functions.
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(2) The District Assessment Committee shall consist of the following members, namely – (a) Collector or District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner, as the case may be, of the district - Chairperson, ex-officio (b) Chief Medical Officer of the district - Member (c) Judicial Magistrate - Member (d) One respectable citizen belonging to a group - Member Provided that, at all times, at least one Member, including the Chairperson, shall be a woman. 103. Functions of the District Assessment Committee.- (1) The District Assessment Committee shall perform functions assigned to it under this Act and shall coordinate with various departments and existing bodies like the National Disaster Management Authority to take all measures to provide reparations under this Act. (2) Subject to any general or special order of the appropriate Government, the District Assessment Committee shall perform the following functions, namely:- (a) supervise establishment of relief camps in accordance with provisions of this Chapter; (b) ensure and enable safe passage of internally displaced persons from the site of violence to a temporary shelter or relief camp, established by the State Government; (c) ensure participation of internally displaced persons in the formulation of rehabilitation and resettlement plans; (d) verify facts and ensure full and public disclosure of the truth to the extent that such disclosure does not cause further harm or threaten the safety and interests of such person, witnesses, or persons who have intervened to assist the victim or prevent the occurrence of further violations; (e) perform such other functions as the State Government or the State Assessment Committee may, from time to time, by order in writing, assign. 104. Authority to determine and disburse compensation.- (1) For the purposes of determining compensation under this section, the District Assessment Committee shall include a District Judge who shall be the Chairperson of the District Assessment Committee. (2) In addition to the compensation paid under Schedule IV, the District Assessment Committee constituted under sub-section (1) shall determine the quantum of compensation to be paid to a person entitled under section 87, in accordance with principles provided under section 100. (3) The entitlement based on the assessment done by the District Assessment Committee constituted under sub-section (1) under sub-section (2) shall be provided as a certificate along with a statement of the list of entitlement to such victim or affected person and the timeframe for disbursement shall be notified. (4) The amount payable under sub-sections (2) shall be disbursed by the State Government,
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not later than fifteen days from the date of grant of certificate by the District Assessment Committee unless an extended period is notified for reasons beyond the control of the State Government. 105. Appeal from assessment.- (1) Any person entitled to relief under section 87 not satisfied with the assessment made by the District Assessment Committee under section 104, may appeal to the High Court of the State concerned in the manner provided by rules under the Act. 106. Rights of persons under this Chapter.- (1) Any person entitled to relief under section 87 shall be informed orally and in writing by the District Assessment Committee about procedures for obtaining compensation for harm suffered as a result of organised communal and targeted violence or any other offence under this Act respectively, and extend all assistance to such person to make his or her claim in accordance with the provisions of this Act. (2) There shall be counseling and protection of women and children against misuse and intimidation resulting from receipts of cash compensation. (3) In case of any default in the timely disbursal of compensation under section 104, persons mentioned under sub-section (1) shall have the right to complain to the National Authority or the State Authority, which shall monitor these complaints till final resolution of claims. 107. Subrogation of Rights.- (1) Upon payment of compensation, the Central Government in relation to the Union Territories or the State Government, as the case may be, will stand subrogated to the rights of all persons entitled under section 87 and shall be entitled to claim the said amount from the persons responsible for the loss of life, liberty or property or any other loss in accordance with law. 108. Claim on behalf of the Central Government and State Government.- For the purpose of making an assessment of loss or damage caused by the organized communal and targeted violence under sub-section (2) of section 94, the State Assessment Committee shall consider the following: (a) expenses of the Government, authorities under the control of the Government, local authorities and institutions for expenses incurred in providing relief and rehabilitation to the persons enlisted under section 95; (b) administration expenses incurred by the Central Government or the State Government or local authorities to cope with the organised communal and targeted violence, including all local and administrative expenses attributable or related to such organised communal and targeted violence; (c) expenses related to loss of revenue to Government and authorities under the control of the Government or local authorities arising out of, or connected with to such organised communal and targeted violence;
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(d) expenses on account of damage to the fauna including milch and drought animals; (e) expenses arising from damage to flora including destruction of agricultural crops, vegetables, trees and orchards; (f) expenses on account of damage to environment including pollution of soil, flora, fauna and water systems; (g) expenses relating to loss and destruction of property; (h) expenses relating to loss of business or employment or both; (i) expenses in respect of injuries that are likely to be suffered on account of the organised communal and targeted violence; (j) any other expenses or expenses which the State Assessment Committee may determine for reasons to be recorded in writing as arising out of, or connected with the organised communal and targeted violence. 109. Establishment of Communal and Targeted Violence Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.- (1) The Central Government shall make available, on the advice of the National Authority, funds from the Consolidated Fund of India, a Communal and Targeted Violence Relief and Rehabilitation Fund for immediate disbursement of compensation for immediate rehabilitation and reparation, and such funds made available shall be recoverable from monies as may be payable to the State Governments by the Central Government. (2) The amount in the said fund shall be applied by the State Assessment Committee and the District Assessment Committee, as the case may be, for the following purposes: (a) disbursal of amounts in settlement of claims registered with the District Assessment Committee (b) apportionment of part of the fund for the relief, rehabilitation and reparations provided for under the Act. (3) “Funds” will be fines that may be levied under this Act. 110. Guarantee of non-repetition.- It shall be the duty of the Central Government and the State Governments to make and take all steps to ensure satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition of offences under this Act and which shall include, where applicable, any or all of the following: (a) Cessation of continuing violations; (b) The search for the bodies of those killed or disappeared and assistance in the identification and reburial of the bodies in accordance with the cultural practices of the families and communities; (c) Ensure access to justice to the victims; (d) Commemorations and tributes to the victims; (e) Preventing the recurrence of violations by such means as: (i) protecting persons in the legal, media and other related professions and human rights defenders;
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(ii) conducting and strengthening, on a priority and continued basis, human rights training to all sectors of society, in particular to military and security forces and to law enforcement officials; (iii) promoting the observance of codes of conduct and ethical norms, in particular international standards, by public servants, including law enforcement, correctional, media, medical, psychological, social service and military personnel, as well as the staff of economic enterprises. CHAPTER VIII PENALTIES 111. Punishment for sexual assault.- Whoever commits an act of sexual assault, shall be punishable- (a) where the act is contained in sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of section 6 and clause (i) of clause (b) of section 7, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life and shall also be liable to fine. (b) where the act is contained in section sub-clause (ii) of clause (a) of section 7, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may be for life and shall also be liable to fine. (c) where the act is contained in sub-clause (iii) of clause (a) of section 7, rigorous imprisonment for a term a term which shall not be less than fourteen years but which may be for life and shall also be liable to fine. (d) where the act is contained in sub-clauses (ii) to (vi) of clause (b) of section 7, rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extent to ten years and shall also be liable to fine. 112. Punishment for hate propaganda.- The offence of hate propaganda shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three years or fine or both. 113. Punishment for organized communal and targeted violence.- Whoever commits organized communal and targeted violence shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine. 114. Punishment for aiding financially, materially or in kind the commission of offence under this Act.- Whoever is guilty of the offence under section 10 shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine. 115. Punishment for offences under Schedule II.- When offences under Schedule II are committed, they shall be punishable with penalty provided in the Indian Penal Code, 1860. 116. Punishment for torture.– Whoever commits torture shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life and shall also be liable to fine.
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117. Punishment for dereliction of duty.- Whoever being a public servant is guilty of dereliction of duty shall be punished with imprisonment for two years which may extend to five years and shall be liable to fine. 118. Punishment for offences by public servants for breach of command responsibility.- Whoever is guilty of an offence under section 14 shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for life, when such failure relates to organized targeted violence and in any other case with imprisonment for a term of ten years and fine. 119. Punishment for offences by other superiors for breach of command responsibility.- Whoever is guilty of an offence under section 15 shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for life, when such failure relates to organized targeted violence and in any other case with imprisonment for a term of ten years and fine. 120. Punishment for attempt.- Whoever attempts to commit any offence punishable under this Act or causes such attempt to be committed and in such attempt does any act towards the commission of the offence shall be punishable with the punishment provided for the offence. 121. Punishment for abetment Whoever abets any offence under this Act, if the act abetted is committed in consequence of the abetment, shall be punished with punishment provided for that offence. 122. Punishment for preparation.- If any person makes preparation to do or omits to do anything which constitutes an offence punishable under this Act and from the circumstances of the case it may be reasonably inferred that he or she was determined to carry out his or her intention to commit the offence but had been prevented by circumstances independent of his or her will, he or she shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one-half of the minimum term (if any), but which may extend to one-half of the maximum term of imprisonment with which he or she would have been punishable in the event of his or her having committed such offence, and also with fine which shall not be less than one-half of the minimum amount (if any), of fine with which he or she would have been punishable, but which may extend to one-half of the maximum amount of fine with which he or she would have ordinarily (that is to say in the absence of special reasons) been punishable, in the event aforesaid: Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a higher fine. 123. Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention.- When a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him or her alone. 124. Determination of fines.- While determining the quantum of fine, the Designated Judge appointed under this Act shall take into consideration gravity of offence, damage assessed by
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the State Assessment Committee under section 94 and compensation paid by the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, under section 99 and assessed by the District Assessment Committee under section 104. 125. Other remedies not prejudiced.- Penalties provided under this Chapter shall be without prejudice to other remedies that a victim or an affected person may have under any other law for the time being in force. CHAPTER IX MISCELLANEOUS 126. Non-applicability of limitation for organised communal and targeted violence.- The prosecution for the offence of organised communal and targeted violence under section 9, and the execution of sentences imposed on account of the said offence shall not be subject to any limitation. 127. Protection of action taken in good faith.- No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Central Government, State Government, National Authority or State Authority or any Member thereof or any person acting under the direction either of the Central Government, State Government, National Authority or State Authority in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or of any rules or any order made there under or in respect of the publication by or under the authority of the Central Government, State Government, National Authority or State Authority of any report paper or proceedings. Provided that this section shall not apply to a public servant accused of dereliction of duty under section 13. 128. Members and officers to be public servants.- Every Member of the National Authority or State Authority and every officer appointed or authorized by the National Authority or State Authority to exercise functions under this Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code. 129. Duties of Government.- The Central Government, in consultation with the National Authority and the State Government, in consultation with the State Authority, shall take all measures to ensure that: (a) the provisions of this Act are given wide publicity through public media including the television, radio and the print media at regular intervals; (b) all public servants including police officers and members of judicial services are given periodic sensitization and awareness training on the issues addressed by this Act; (c) effective coordination between the services provided by concerned Ministries and Departments dealing with Law, Home Affairs including law and order, health and human resources to address the issue of communal and targeted violence is established and periodical review of the same is conducted.
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130. Power of Central Government to make rules.- (1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters namely:- (a) the salaries and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the National Authority; (b) the conditions subject to which other administrative, technical and scientific staff may be appointed by the National Authority and the salaries and allowances of officers; (c) any other function or power of the National Authority; (d) the form in which the annual statement of accounts is to be prepared by the National Authority; and (e) any other matter which may be prescribed. (3) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. 131. Power of State Government to make rules.- (1) The State Government may, by notification, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely : (a) the salaries and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the members of the State Authority; (b) the conditions subject to which other administrative, technical and scientific staff may be appointed by the State Authority and the salaries and allowances of officers and other staff of the State Authority; (c) the form in which the annual statement of accounts is to be prepared by the State Authority. (3) Every rule made by the State Government under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature where it consists of two Houses, or where such Legislature consists of one House, before that House. 132. Power of National Authority to make regulations.- The National Authority shall have the power to makes regulations to lay down its own procedure.
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133. Power of State Authority to make regulations.- The State Authority shall have the power to makes regulations to lay down its own procedure. 134. Power to remove difficulties.- (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government, may by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty. Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of the period of two years from the date of commencement of this Act. (2) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is made, be laid before each house of Parliament. 135. Act to be in addition to any other law.- The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other law for the time being in force, and nothing contained herein shall exempt any public servant from any proceeding which might, apart from this Act, be instituted against him or her.
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SCHEDULE I Armed Forces and Security Forces constituted under: (a) The Air Force Act, 1950 (45 of 1950); (b) The Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950); (c) The Assam Rifles Act, 2006 (47 of 2006); (d) The Bombay Home Guard Act, 1947; (e) The Border Security Force Act, 1968 (47 of 1968); (f) The Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968 (50 of 1968); (g) The Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949 (66 of 1949); (h) The Coast Guard Act, 1978 (30 of 1978); (i) The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (25 of 1946); (j) The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992 (35 of 1992); (k) The Navy Act, 1957 (62 of 1957); (l) The National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008); (m) The National Security Guard Act,1986 (47 of 1986); (n) The Railway Protection Force Act, 1957 (23 of 1957); (o) The Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007 (53 of 2007); (p) The Special Protection Group Act, 1988 (34 of 1988); (q) The Territorial Army Act, 1948 (56 of 1948); (r) The State police forces (including armed constabulary) constituted under the State laws to aid the civil powers of the State and empowered to employ force during internal disturbances or otherwise including armed forces as defined in clause (a) of section 2 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958).
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SCHEDULE II Part-A The Indian Penal Code, 1860 Section Description of Offence 153B Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration 295 Injuring or defiling place of worship with the intent to insult the religion of any class 295A Deliberate and malicious acts intending to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs 296 Disturbing religious assembly 297 Trespassing on burial places, etc. 298 Uttering words, etc. with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person Part-B The Indian Penal Code, 1860 Section Description of Offence 120 Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment 141 Unlawful assembly 142 Being member of unlawful assembly 144 Joining unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapon 145 Joining or continuing in unlawful assembly, knowing it has been commanded to disperse 146 Rioting 148 Rioting, armed with deadly weapon 149 Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object 150, Hiring, or conniving at hiring, of persons to join unlawful assembly 151 Knowingly joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse 152 Assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, etc. 153 Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot-if rioting be committed-if not committed 154 Owner or occupier of land on which an unlawful assembly is held 156 Liability of agent of owner of occupier for whose benefit riot is committed 157 Harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly 322 Voluntarily causing grievous hurt 324 Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means 336 Act endangering life or personal safety of others 337 Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others 302 Murder 307 Attempt to murder 375 Rape 376 Punishment for rape
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396 Dacoity with murder 397 Robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt 435 Mischief by destroying or moving, etc., a land- mark fixed by public authority Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to amount of one hundred or (in case of agricultural produce) ten rupees 436 Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc. The Bombay Police Act, 1951 Section Description of Offence 135 Penalty for contravention of rule or directions under Sec. 37, 39 or 40
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Schedule III The Indian Penal Code, 1860 Section Offence 191 Giving false evidence 192 Fabricating false evidence 194 Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence If innocent person be thereby convicted and executed 195 Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence 195-A Threatening any person to give false evidence 196 Using evidence known to be false 197 Issuing or signing false certificate 198 Using as true a certificate known to be false 199 False statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence 200 Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false 201 Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender 202 Intentional omission to give information of offences by person bound to inform 203 Giving false information respecting an offence by person bound to inform 204 Destruction of or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence 205 False personation for purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution 211 False charge of offence made with intent to injure 212 Harbouring an offender 216 Harbouring offender who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has been ordered 217 Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture 218 Public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture 219 Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report etc. contrary to law 220 Commitment for trial or confinement by person having authority who knows that he is acting contrary to law 221 Intentional omission to apprehend on the part of public servant bound to apprehend 222 Intentional omission to apprehend on the part of the public servant bound to apprehend person under sentence or lawfully committed 223 Escape from confinement or custody negligently suffered by public servant 225A Omission to apprehend, or sufferance of escape, on part of public servant, in cases not otherwise provided for 228 Intentional insult or interruption to public servant sitting in judicial proceeding
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Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 Section Duty 107 Security for keeping the peace in other cases 108 Security for good behavior for persons disseminating seditions matters 109 Security for good behavior from suspected persons 143 Magistrate may prohibit repetition or continuance of public nuisance 144 Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger 145 Procedure where dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace 146 Power to attach subject of dispute and to appoint receiver 147 Dispute concerning right of use of land or water 148 Local Inquiry 149 Police to prevent cognizable offences 150 Information of design to commit cognizable offences 151 Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences 152 Prevention of injury to public property
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SCHEDULE IV COMPENSATION S. NO. OFFENCE COMPENSATION 1 Death Minimum compensation of Rs. 15 lacs 2 Disablement : (a) Permanent disablement:1 means a disability of 50% and above suffered by the victim which is of permanent nature and there are no chances of variation in the degree of disability and the injury/disability renders the victim unfit for normal life for the rest of his life. (b) Partial Disablement:2 means, where the disablement is of a temporary nature. , such disablement as reduces the earning capacity of a person in any employment in which the victim was engaged at the time of the violence resulting in the disablement. Minimum compensation of Rs. 5 lacs Minimum compensation of Rs. 3 lacs 3 Grievous hurt Rs 2 lacs 4 Criminal trespass Rs 2 lacs 5 Kidnapping & abduction Rs. 2 lacs 6 Rape Minimum compensation of Rs. 5 lacs 7 Other forms of sexual violence Minimum compensation of Rs. 4 lacs 8 Mental Harassment, Depression & psychological harm Rs. 3 lacs 9 Destruction of immovable property: (a) Total or partial destruction of house (b) Total or partial destruction of shop and other immovable property such as shed and godown. Value of property at the time of the communal violence adjusted with inflation Minimum compensation of Rs. 1 lac subject to inflation adjusted value of property at the time of communal violence 10 Destruction of movable property – cars, goods, etc 11 Forced displacement & occupation (a) Forced displacement from habitual residence, shops and other immovable property (b) Forcible occupation of habitual residence, shops and other immovable property 12 Loss of opportunity 1 Adapted from the Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims of Terrorist, Communal and Naxal Violence, 2009 2 Adapted from Section 2 (g) of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923



झुकी सरकार, सांप्रदायिक हिंसा विरोधी विधेयक में सुधार---
प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह को नरेंद्र मोदी की चिट्ठी और विपक्ष के तमाम विरोध को देखते हुए केंद्र सरकार ने सांप्रदायिक हिंसा विरोधी विधेयक के ड्राफ्ट में बदलाव का फैसला किया है। नए बदलाव के मुताबिक हिंसा के बाद अब केंद्र राज्यों की सिफारिश के बाद ही कोई कार्रवाई करेगा। इससे पहले के ड्राफ्ट में हिंसा पर केंद्र और राज्य दोनों की जिम्मेदारी तय की गई थी। बदलाव के बाद ड्राफ्ट में अब हिंसा के बाद जिम्मेदारी बहुसंख्यक समुदाय की नहीं मानी जानी चाहिए। पहले के ड्राफ्ट में जिम्मेदारी बहुसंख्यक समुदाय की तय की गई थी। बदलाव के बाद बिल में प्रावधान किया गया है कि हिंसा रोकने में नाकाम रहने पर स्थानीय अफसर की जिम्मेदारी मानी जाएगी। जबकि पहले हिंसा रोकने में स्थानीय अफसर की कोई जिम्मेदारी नहीं तय की गई थी।