CrPC to be amended for speedy trial: Cabinet

New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) The government today decided to amend the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) for ensuring speedy trial and prevention of indiscriminate arrests.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on the recommendations of the Law Commission contained in its 154th, 177th and 178th reports, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters.

The proposed amendments, for which a Bill might be introduced in the current session of Parliament, were also aimed at protecting the civil liberties of citizens by making it mandatory for the presence of lawyers during interrogation and intimating relatives or friends of the accused.

Mr Chidambaram, however, refused to give the exact provisions of the Bill, which was being finalised by the Law and Home Ministries, stating that Parliament had the privilege to know its contents first.

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