Sindh cabinet decides to affix electronic devices in the body of habitual offenders

KARACHI (May 10): The Sindh cabinet has decided to affix electronic devices in the body of habitual offenders, particularly the street criminals to ensure their effective monitoring though some of the members termed it against human rights yet it was approved with majority vote.

Habitual Offenders bill

The Home department presented draft The Sindh Habitual Offenders’ Monitoring Bill 2022 with the objective to ensure effective monitoring of habitual offenders using modern technology; checking the menace of street crime and ensuring safer cities and neighborhoods in the province focusing on urban areas.

The meeting was told that an electronic monitoring unit in the form of an anklet or bracelet would be affixed to a habitual offender. “A single-unit tracking device for each Habitual Offender that contains a central processing unit with global positioning system and cellular technology in a single unit; and permit active, real time, and continuous monitoring of offenders round the clock,” the draft law says.

courts to explain the operation of the device and its terms & conditions

Section-3 of the draft law spells out the procedure for attachment of electronic monitoring devices. The law says it would be affixed through Court’s Order upon application of Prosecutor or Police Officer for the period, he would remain on bail.

The court of law would explain the operation of the device and its terms & conditions to the habitual offender.

The section-4 of the draft law imposes three-year imprisonment on the habitual offender for his failure to comply with terms and conditions and imposes Rs1 million penalty or three years imprisonment in case of tampering with electronic monitoring device.

The Section 5 of the draft law says the habitual offender would have to seek prior permission from officer in charge of the Police Station of the concerned area before moving from his permanent place of residence for any period and to keep him informed about the place he would be visiting and the persons, he would be meeting during the stay.

When the chief minister opened discussion on the draft bill, some of the cabinet members termed it a violation of human rights. Some of the members opined that the harsh clauses would discourage street crime. After an over 40 minutes debate the draft law was approved with majority vote and referred to the assembly where it would be debated again.