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  • What are Organised Crimes?

What are Organised Crimes?

Description

Introduction

Organised crime refers to illegal activities conducted by structured groups that aim for financial gain. These groups often operate with a clear hierarchy, using intimidation, corruption, and violence to achieve their goals.

Organised crime poses a significant challenge to society and governance. It operates through structured networks engaging in illegal activities to achieve economic benefits, often undermining national security and the rule of law.

Types of Organised Crime

  • Smuggling: The illegal movement of goods like gold, electronics, or essential commodities across borders.
  • Drug Trafficking: The trade of illegal drugs, with Punjab being a hotspot in India.
  • Human Trafficking: Involves forced labor, sexual exploitation, and child trafficking, especially in border regions.
  • Money Laundering: Disguising illegal money as legitimate income, often through shell companies.
  • Arms Trafficking: The illegal distribution of firearms, which fuels violence.
  • Cybercrime: Includes hacking, phishing, and financial fraud, increasingly relevant in the digital age.

Global Perspective

Organised crime is a worldwide issue, with groups like the Mafia in Italy, the Triads in China, and drug cartels in Latin America influencing global systems. Cross-border operations make combating these crimes complex and challenging.

Examples of Organised Crime in India

  • D-Company: Infamous for smuggling, extortion, and terrorism-related activities.
  • Drug Trafficking: The Northeast remains a transit hub for heroin and synthetic drugs.
  • Human Trafficking: Bengal and Bihar contribute significantly to interstate trafficking networks.
  • Cybercrime: Modern crimes now involve technology, such as online scams and cryptocurrency fraud.

Impact of Organised Crime

  1. Economic Impact:
    • Loss of revenue due to tax evasion.
    • Distortion of legitimate markets.
  2. Social Consequences:
    • Increased violence and insecurity.
    • Weakening of moral values.
  3. Threat to National Security:
    • Terrorist financing through organised crime networks.

Laws Against Organised Crime in India

  • Indian Penal Code (IPC): Covers various criminal activities.
  • Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act: Focuses on drug-related crimes.
  • Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA): Tracks and penalizes money laundering.
  • Arms Act: Regulates the possession and distribution of firearms.
  • Information Technology (IT) Act: Addresses cybercrimes.

Role of Law Enforcement

  • CBI and ED: Lead investigations against organised crime networks.
  • State Police: Handle local incidents and support central agencies.

Problems in controlling organized crimes

  •     Inadequate Legal Structure: India does not have a special law to control/ suppress organized crime.The existing law is inadequate as it targets individuals and not the criminal groups or criminal enterprises.
  •     Difficulties in Obtaining Proof: The witnesses are not willing to depose for fear of their lives and there is no law to provide protection to the witnesses against organized gangs.
  •     Slow Pace of Trials and Low Conviction Rate: The pace of trials in India is very slow. The average time of trial in grave offences varies from State to State but it is quite substantial and may run into years. This, coupled with other factors, has resulted in low conviction rates.
  •    Lack of Resources and Training: In our Constitutional frame-work, the police are the State’s subject. Investigation of cases, their prosecution and the setting up of the criminal courts is the responsibility of the State Government concerned. The number of police personnel posted in police stations is inadequate. Moreover, they are vulnerable to frequent transfers resulting in discontinuity in prosecution efforts.
  •     Lack of Co-ordination: India does not have a national level agency to co-ordinate the efforts of the State/city police organizations as well as central enforcement agencies, for combating organized crime.
  •    -Dual Criminality: Certain crimes, particularly drug trafficking, are planned in one part of the world and executed in another. Criminals also move fast from one part of the globe to another. Different nations have different legal structures

Government Initiatives to Tackle Organised Crime

  • Special Task Forces: Set up in states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to handle organised crime.
  • Policy Changes: Stronger surveillance and data-sharing between agencies.
  • Awareness Campaigns: Educating citizens about human trafficking and cyber safety.

The Way Forward

  • Strengthening Laws: Amend outdated laws to address new forms of organised crime.
  • Use of Technology: Tools like AI and big data analytics can enhance detection and prevention.
  • International Cooperation: Partnering with global organisations to combat transnational crime networks.

Conclusion

Organised crime undermines the rule of law and threatens national security. A concerted effort involving strong laws, better technology, and active citizen participation is essential to combat it effectively.

 

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