India, June 24 -- The Criminal Procedure Code was originally drafted by the British in the latter half of the 19th century. The much-maligned Macaulay had a major role in its drafting. The code was comprehensively amended in 1973 and set in motion in 1974.
Both versions of the law have a provision which protects officers from criminal prosecution while performing their official duty. This was to give them freedom from fear.
Human rights activists have always been opposed to this freedom which allows the government employees, especially police officers, to take the law into their own hands. It is a separate subject that merits a closer look. Many encounter specialists in Gujarat escaped prosecution and punishment because the government o...