Sweeping Changes: Outdated Penalties in Delhi Police Act Scrapped

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, removes specific penalties from the Delhi Police Act 1978. It eliminates fines and imprisonment for certain minor offenses, reflecting a move towards modernizing legal frameworks. Notably, sections targeting minor public nuisances by children and loitering without explanation have been omitted.

In a significant legislative move, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, was cleared by Parliament on Thursday. It proposes to modernize the Delhi Police Act 1978 by eliminating specific outdated penalties.

The Bill specifically omits penalties for actions deemed minor or obsolete, such as Section 95. Previously, this section imposed a fine for allowing children under seven to commit nuisances in public.

Additionally, Section 102 (c), which penalized individuals found loitering without explanation between sunset and sunrise, prescribing imprisonment of up to three months, will also be eliminated.

(With inputs from agencies.)