Delhi Cabinet clears Bill to decriminalise minor offences

The Delhi Cabinet has approved the Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, aimed at decriminalising minor offences and simplifying compliance procedures to promote ease of doing business and ease of living. Addressing the media, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said the Bill draws inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance approach and seeks to reduce the burden on courts while improving administrative efficiency. She said the proposed legislation aligns with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act enacted by the Centre, under which minor and procedural offences in central laws were decriminalised. Following the Centre’s advisory to States and Union Territories, the Delhi Government undertook a review of its laws and found that in several cases, civil penalties were more appropriate than criminal prosecution.

The Chief Minister clarified that the Bill does not dilute action against serious offences and is intended to ensure proportionality in punishment. Criminal proceedings for minor, technical, and procedural violations will be replaced with civil penalties, administrative fines, and an appellate mechanism, while provisions related to public health, safety, and matters affecting life will remain unchanged.The Chief Minister said the Bill would not impose any additional financial burden on the government, nor require the creation of new posts, as it will be implemented using existing departmental resources. The Finance Department has raised no objections to the proposal.

The Bill is expected to be introduced and passed in the upcoming winter session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. According to the government, the move is expected to reduce litigation and improve the effectiveness of the administrative machinery. The Acts proposed to be brought under the ambit of the Bill include the Delhi Industrial Development, Operation and Maintenance Act, 2010; Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954; Delhi Jal Board Act, 1998; Delhi Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1998; and laws governing professional colleges, diploma-level technical institutions, and bed-and-breakfast establishments.Under these laws, minor offences will be converted into civil penalties. The Bill also proposes an automatic 10 per cent increase in fines every three years after implementation to keep penalties aligned with inflation.