National Desk, 24th February: The government has officially announced the enforcement of three new criminal laws, replacing the antiquated Indian Penal Code (IPC), Indian Evidence Act, and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) inherited from the British era. The implementation of these laws will commence from July 1, as per a notification released by the government over the weekend.
The three new legislations, namely Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, were passed during the Winter Session of Parliament. President Droupadi Murmu granted assent to The Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, 2023, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, and The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, thereby replacing the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, and the IPC, respectively.
These new laws aim to strengthen measures against terrorism, lynching, and offenses posing threats to national security, as per expert analysis. Notable amendments include the addition of 20 new offenses in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, alongside the deletion of 19 provisions from the IPC. Furthermore, 33 offenses will now carry stricter imprisonment penalties, while fines in 83 provisions have been escalated.
Moreover, the new legislations introduce mandatory minimum punishments for 23 offenses and the concept of ‘community service’ for six offenses. Key revisions encompass the inclusion of a child’s definition, recognizing transgender individuals under the gender definition, and incorporating electronic and digital records within the document definition. Additionally, the definition of ‘movable’ has been broadened to encompass property of all types.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while presenting the criminal bills in the Rajya Sabha, emphasized that the implementation of these laws will expedite the delivery of justice, putting an end to prolonged legal delays and ensuring timely resolution within three years.
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