The Gujarat government led by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has passed the controversial Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organized Crime Bill 2015 in the state assembly. The bill is so stringent, even draconian, that it was returned by the President of India thrice to the state government for reconsideration. Two presidents -- Pratibha Patil and APJ Abdul Kalam -- had turned down the bill.

The Bill had not been cleared by the earlier NDA and UPA governments for the last 10 years. 

The bill for instance, allows confessional statements before the police to be admissible in court. It also allows police remand to be increased from 15 days to 30 days.

Human rights activists warn that this means suspects in custody can be tortured or coerced into making statements that can be used against them.

Police can also take 180 days to file a chargesheet - twice the current time limit.