The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill on voice vote.

During the debate on the Bill that seeks to replace the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, the Opposition members voiced concern over data protection and other fundamental rights.

Joining the discussion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed concerns raised by Members of Parliament about the legislation.

"There should be no apprehension," Shah said and added, "Next-generation crimes cannot be tackled with old techniques. We have to try to take criminal justice system to the next era."

The Union Home minister also said that the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill will empower police and investigating agencies to remain two steps ahead of criminals.

YSRCP's Midhun Reddy, who supported the Bill, said during the discussion that more than 70 countries rely on similar laws to aid probe agencies.
The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on March 28 of this year.

Opposition members, however, termed the legislation as "draconian" and demanded that it be referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee.

Participating in the discussion on the Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Congress MP Manish Tewari termed the legislation as "draconian and against civil liberties".
The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on March 28 of this year.