Gandhinagar: In a significant legislative shift, the Gujarat state government will introduce the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at narrowing the scope of the 2015 Act to focus exclusively on organized crime. The bill, to be introduced by Minister Harsh Sanghavi in the upcoming assembly session, proposes the complete removal of references to “terrorism” and “terrorist acts” from the state law.

Avoiding Investigative Duplication

The primary motivation for this amendment is the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 by the Central Government. The BNS has replaced the Indian Penal Code of 1860 and now includes comprehensive provisions for the prevention and punishment of terrorist acts. According to the bill’s “Statement of Objects and Reasons,” the Gujarat government determined that maintaining terrorism-related offenses in the state-level Act would lead to a “duplication of investigations”. By omitting these sections, the state aims to streamline legal proceedings while ensuring that terrorism is prosecuted under the unified national framework.

A Change in Name and Focus

The proposed legislation introduces fundamental changes to the titles and definitions within the original 2015 Act:

• Title Revision: The words “Terrorism and” are slated to be removed from the Act’s short title, effectively renaming it the Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Act.

• Long Title Amendment: Phrases such as “for the prevention and control of terrorist acts and” will be omitted from the Act’s preamble to reflect its singular focus on organized crime syndicates.

• Removal of Definitions: Key clauses in Section 2 and Section 3 that specifically defined “terrorist acts” and prescribed punishments for them—including preparation for such acts—are to be deleted.

Integration with New Criminal Codes

Beyond the focus on terrorism, the Bill serves to modernize the Act’s procedural and evidentiary references to match India’s new criminal justice codes:

• Procedural Updates: References to the colonial-era Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 are being replaced throughout the Act with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. For example, references to Section 167 of the old code will now point to Section 187 of the BNSS.

• Evidence Standards: References to the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 are being updated to the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.

• Judicial References: The Bill also proposes removing mentions of the “Chief Metropolitan Magistrate” from several procedural sections.

Continuity of Anti-Organised Crime Measures

While the terrorism provisions are being phased out, the Bill maintains strict measures against organized crime. It continues to provide for the attachment and forfeiture of property believed to be acquired through criminal activities. Furthermore, public servants found failing in their duties regarding the enforcement of these laws remain liable for punishment of up to three years.

The Bill was officially signed on February 12, 2026, and is expected to come into force on a date notified by the state government in the Official Gazette following its passage. This legislative pivot marks a clear boundary between state-led efforts to dismantle local crime syndicates and the central government’s mandate to combat national security threats. DeshGujarat