India, Dec. 31 -- The Delhi government on Tuesday stepped one step closer to decriminalising minor offences under seven Delhi Acts - from the 1954 Shops and Establishment Act to 2010 Delhi Industrial Act - after the Cabinet cleared the Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026. It follows from a similar move made by the Union government earlierwith regards to federal laws.

The bill, under which seven laws will be amended, will replace jail terms for minor offences with civil prosecutions that can be handed out at the level of the executive magistrate. "Steep penalties and fines can act as enough of deterrent for minor technical lapses," official said. The government did not share which exact provisions could be decriminalise...