Delhi Police Act Amendments Shift Focus from Criminal Prosecution to Financial Penalties
Provisions under Delhi Police Act, among others, decriminalised
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
The Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by the Indian Parliament, decriminalizes minor civic violations in New Delhi, replacing imprisonment with monetary fines. Key changes include the removal of penalties for guardians of children causing public nuisance and adjustments to unauthorized land occupation penalties, aiming to streamline enforcement and reduce court burdens.
- 01Minor civic violations in New Delhi will now attract financial penalties instead of criminal charges.
- 02Provisions penalizing guardians for children's public nuisance and nighttime presence without explanation are removed.
- 03Stricter penalties for unauthorized land occupation are introduced, linked to property value.
- 04Fines for unauthorized construction have increased significantly, with daily penalties for ongoing violations.
- 05On-the-spot penalties for minor infractions in the Delhi Metro will expedite resolution without court involvement.
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The Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill, 2026, recently passed by the Indian Parliament, introduces significant changes to the Delhi Police Act, focusing on decriminalizing minor civic and regulatory violations. Key provisions include the removal of Section 95, which penalized guardians for allowing children under seven to cause public nuisance, and Section 102(c), which criminalized being in a building or vehicle without a valid reason during nighttime. Instead of imprisonment, offenders will now face monetary fines, with penalties for unauthorized land occupation tied to the property's annual value. The amendments also increase fines for unauthorized construction, allowing for penalties up to ₹50,000 and additional daily fines for ongoing violations. Notably, the changes aim to reduce the burden on the judicial system and encourage compliance over punishment. For Delhi Metro commuters, offenses such as smoking or causing disturbances will incur on-the-spot fines, potentially exceeding ₹2,000, facilitating quicker resolutions without court intervention.
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The amendments will lead to quicker resolutions for minor infractions in New Delhi, reducing court congestion and changing how minor violations are handled.
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