President Murmu returns West Bengal anti-social activities bill over narcotics law clash

President Droupadi Murmu refused assent to the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill after the Union government warned that its provisions may conflict with the 1985 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the 1988 central narcotics prevention law. The legislation, passed by the West Bengal Assembly on June 30, would allow authorities to detain individuals labeled “anti-social” for up to a year, with a three-one outlet's review by an advisory board headed by a current or former High Court judge.

Detention orders could be issued by district magistrates, police commissioners or senior police officers, and the bill expands “anti-social” activities to include organized extortion and business obstruction. It also grants police powers to raid, seize property and arrest in cognisable and non-bailable offences, and criminalises harbouring those under detention orders. Opposition legislators warned the measure could be used against peaceful protests, a charge Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari denied, saying the law is not intended for political vendetta.