Anti-terror bill will ensure strict punishment, says Gujarat Govt.

The Gujarat Government on Tuesday defended the controversial anti-terror bill, saying it will ensure strict punishment for anti-social elements and help the police in investigating terror cases.

"This anti-terror law has provisions which will ensure strict punishment is given to anti-social elements," said Gujarat government spokesperson Nitin Patel.

"Those who are involved in terrorism, anti-national activities and organised crimes get acquitted due to the provisions of the laws that we have now. The police investigation is not proved in the court. The provisions in this Bill will help the police in investigation and the evidence they garner," he added.

The Gujarat Assembly earlier in the day passed the controversial Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organized Crime Bill 2015 that makes confessions before police admissible in court.

The bill that aims to empower law enforcing authorities to intercept and record phone calls as evidence was earlier returned by two presidents to the state government for reconsideration.

The bill also puts the onus of proving innocence on an accused.

The legislation is a modified version of the original 2003 Gujarat Control of Organized Crime Bill which was not cleared by the earlier NDA and UPA governments.