Two Anti-Crime Laws Come into Force

• 13 Jul 2026

On 13th July 2026, two new anti-crime laws – the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-social Activities Act, 2026 and the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Act, 2026 – came into force after receiving the Governor's assent.

• The laws were passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in June 2026.
• The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-social Activities Act, 2026 provides for preventive detention of individuals involved in or likely to engage in anti-social activities for a maximum period of one year.
• The Act authorises the State Government, Police Commissioner, District Magistrate, or a government-authorised Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police to issue preventive detention orders.
• In normal circumstances, the detained person must be informed of the grounds for detention and given an opportunity to present their case.