Book Review Handbook on Offences and Punishments by MA Rashid Lexis Nexis Second Edition 2011

Bar & Bench is pleased to inform everyone that we are experimenting book reviews in the Column section. We invite Authors or Publishers, who are interested in getting books reviews published at Bar & Bench, to contact Raghul Sudheesh by email at raghul@barandbench.com or contact him directly at +91 87221 53555..Bar & Bench is pleased to inform everyone that we are experimenting book reviews in the Column section. We invite Authors or Publishers, who are interested in getting books reviews published at Bar & Bench, to contact Raghul Sudheesh by email at raghul@barandbench.com or contact him directly at +91 87221 53555..Handbook on Offences and Punishments (Lexis Nexis -Second Edition – 2011) compiled by Advocate M.A. Rashid, covers over 2,000 penal provisions from over 100 Indian Central Acts in tabular format. The table contains the exact wording of the provisions of individual sections, the punishment under the statute, the trial court, and indicates whether the offence is cognizable/non cognizable or bailable/non bailable. Where relevant, the table lists the persons who have the locus standi to file complaints under particular Acts. This is the only book which contains a classification of offences under Companies Act and Income Tax Act..The present edition is a thoroughly revised one in the light of all statutory amendments which were notified subsequent to publication of the first edition keeping intact the original style and scheme of the book. The Penal provisions and procedure under new statutes like Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010, Legal Metrology Act 2009, National Investigation Agency Act 2008, National Green Tribunal Act 2010 etc. are added. Major amendments which were brought in Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958, Drugs And Cosmetic Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 etc are also incorporated. Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act 2008 [came into force on 31.12.2009] replaced the list of compoundable offences under Section 320 of Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 which finally resolved the confusion whether Section 324 etc. are compoundable or not? [See the conflicting views of the Supreme Court in Manoj and another vs. State of M.P. (AIR 2009 SC 22) and in Md. Abdul Sufan Laskar and others vs. State of Assam (2008 (9) SCC 333)]. The above changes are also included in the chapter of offences under Indian Penal Code which are classified under first schedule of Code of Criminal Procedure 1973..Controversial questions like ‘Is Section 63 of the Copyright Act Cognizable’? Are Section 184 and Section 185 of Motor Vehicles Act Cognizable? Whether an offence is cognizable, if the power to arrest without warrant, for that offence is given “by the statute to police officers of a particular rank or class, only”? Whether an offence is Cognizable when a restricted power is given to police officer to arrest a person (only in certain circumstances where offence is committed in the presence of police officer etc.)?, are readily answered in this book with supporting authorities. Full text of supporting Judgments is also annexed..As Justice K.T. Thomas (Former Judge of Supreme Court of India) said in his foreword to the second edition, “its contents provide enormous assistance to those who deal with criminal law – judges, lawyers or teachers in law. The speed at which the earlier editions have been sold out is the best index to understand how the legal fraternity had chosen to take advantage of this book. If that is a pointer, the ensuing edition will also be a harbinger for successive editions to be released in due course of time”..“The book helps the user to have all the details of the offences under various special statutes readily available in a ready reckoner form. It saves the user of the responsibility of applying the principles/tests in Part II of Schedule I of the Code of Criminal Procedure and of vetting each such statute to ascertain the relevant details of the offences” Justice R.Basant (Judge, Kerala High Court) said in his foreword to the first edition..The book will definitely be an asset to a lawyer’s library irrespective of the branch of law, the lawyer might deal with. In addition this book will equally help Judges, Academicians and anyone connected with the legal fraternity..Advocate M.A. Rashid authored many books for lawyers and law students including Law Relating to Electronic Transfer of Money, 2010 (LexisNexis), Supreme Court Guidelines and Precedents(Universal)(2011), 21 Years Digest On Dishonour Of Cheques(Snow white) (2010), etc. His book “Ultimate Guide to LLB Entrance” is one of the largest selling book on CLAT. He is also the Chief Mentor of Answeringlaw..Raghul Sudheesh is Associate Editor at Bar and Bench.