Govt considering amending laws on suicide, road mishaps

Several proposals to amend laws under CrPC and IPC, including those to decriminalise attempt to suicide and legal reforms to combat road accidents, are being considered by the government, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the Law Commission has already submitted a report and recommended that attempt to suicide be decriminalised.
"There are various proposals which are under consideration for amendment in the CrPC and IPC. Some of the important proposals under its consideration include a proposal to decriminalise attempt to suicide by amending Section 309 IPC. The Law Commission has already recommended to decriminalise the attempt to suicide," he said during Question Hour.

There is also a proposal for legal reforms to combat road accidents for rash and negligent driving under Section 279 IPC and for causing death due to negligence under Section 304-A IPC, he said.
"There have been a lot of cases of death due to road accidents and many members have raised concerns. Besides that, there are certain proposals which are controversial and shall come up before the House if and when they take final shape," the Minister said.
Asked if government was considering repealing Section 377 IPC, Rijiju said, "Regarding Section 377 IPC, as you all know, it has been widely discussed and the matter is sub-judice and Supreme Court is looking into it. I would rather not comment on that section."

On a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system, Rijiju said, "there is a certain dynamism involved in it and it is a continuous process and takes into account in sync with the time and progress and nature of society."

He said there have been various recommendations in this regard, especially with regard to 42nd report of the Law Commission.
"This Home Ministery is actively considering it and Law Commission will take into account everything and a comprehensive draft will be available before us soon,"he said.
On reducing pending cases, he said the Law Minister has himself written to various Chief Justices of high courts and Home Minister has written to Chief Ministers of states to ensure speedy disposal of cases and check delay in delivery of justice.