The Andhra Pradesh government headed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has decided to withdraw the Disha Bill introduced by the previous Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government to ensure speedy investigation and trial in crimes against women and children.
The Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill, 2019, officially known as the Criminal Law (Andhra Pradesh Amendment) Bill, was unanimously passed by the State Legislative Assembly on December 13, 2019.
The Bill sought to fast-track investigation and trial in rape and sexual offence cases and aimed to complete the process within 21 days in certain cases. It also proposed stricter punishment, including the death penalty for heinous crimes.
After being passed by the Assembly, the Bill was sent to the President of India for assent. However, it remained pending with the Centre, which had sought clarifications on several provisions.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had reportedly advised the State government to submit revised legislation after incorporating suggestions from various Central government departments.
However, the Chandrababu Naidu cabinet, which met on Thursday, decided to withdraw the Bill altogether.
The cabinet reportedly observed that there was no longer a need for separate legislation, as the Centre had replaced the Indian Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which came into force across the country on July 1, 2024.
“These new criminal laws have already incorporated stronger legal provisions aimed at protecting women and children, thereby fulfilling the objectives envisaged under the Disha Bill,” State Minister K. Parthasarathi said.
He added that based on the recommendations of the Director General of Police and the Law Department, and after considering the Centre’s advice, the cabinet formally approved the withdrawal of the Disha Bill.
The YSR Congress Party strongly criticised the decision.
Former ministers Mekathoti Sucharita, Taneti Vanitha and R.K. Roja condemned the move, calling it a serious setback to women’s safety in Andhra Pradesh. They alleged that withdrawing the Bill could weaken the sense of security among women and embolden offenders.
In a statement, the YSRCP leaders said the Jagan government had introduced the Disha initiative with the objective of ensuring faster investigation and punishment in serious crimes against women.
They said the framework was designed to deliver justice within 21 days in applicable cases and create confidence among women that the State would respond quickly in times of danger.
The former ministers also highlighted the role of the Disha App, which was introduced as an emergency safety tool for women. They said the app enabled users to send alerts to police and helped response teams locate and reach women in distress quickly.
YSRCP leaders accused the coalition government of dismantling an initiative that, according to them, had become an important safety mechanism for women.
They further alleged that the decision was motivated by political hostility towards programmes introduced during the Jagan government rather than by concerns over public welfare.
The YSRCP maintained that the Disha framework should have been strengthened instead of being withdrawn and argued that measures aimed at providing swift protection and justice to women should continue irrespective of which party is in power.
