Why is Punjab involved in a court case regarding the BSF's powers
Why is Punjab in court over BSF’s powers? | Explained
- Punjab is involved in a court case regarding the powers of the Border Security Force (BSF). The state has challenged the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the BSF Act, 1968.
- The case specifically revolves around Section 139 of the BSF Act, which grants the BSF officers exceptional powers of search, seizure, and arrest within a 50-kilometer belt along the international border.
- Punjab argues that these powers should be limited to 15 kilometers instead, as the larger border belt encroaches upon the civil liberties and fundamental rights of the people living in the area.
- The state claims that these provisions infringe upon the exclusive jurisdiction of the police and violate federal principles enshrined in the Constitution of India.
- Punjab also argues that the extended powers of the BSF have resulted in numerous instances of human rights abuses, including illegal detentions, torture, and custodial deaths.
- The outcome of this court case will have implications for the balance of power between central and state authorities, as well as for the protection of civil liberties along the international border.
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a year ago