The three new criminal laws, the Indian Judicial Code, the Indian Civil Defense Code, and the Indian Evidence (Second) Bill, 2023, will replace the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
New Delhi: The government on Saturday notified that three new criminal laws, replacing the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Act, will come into force from July 1. The three new criminal laws, the Indian Judicial Code, the Indian Civil Defense Code, and the Indian Evidence (Second) Bill, 2023, will replace the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872. The new laws aim to completely replace the British-era laws by giving a clear definition of terrorism, eliminating treason as a crime and introducing a new section called crimes against the state, along with several other changes.
All three laws were approved by Parliament
These three bills were first introduced during the monsoon session of Parliament in August 2023. President Draupadi Murmu had given his assent to them last December. After the Standing Committee on Home Affairs made several recommendations, the redrafted versions were introduced in the winter session. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the bills were drafted after extensive deliberations and he himself had seen every comma and full stop of the draft.
India’s position will be higher in the justice system – Shah
While presenting them in Parliament last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that the new laws emphasize Indianness, the Indian Constitution and the welfare of the people. He said that once all the systems under the three laws are implemented, the Indian criminal justice system will become the most advanced in the world in five years.
How is the use for the country?
Set to replace the IPC, the BNS has reformed key aspects of the criminal law in keeping with the changing times. It prioritizes laws that protect women and children, punish murderers, and deter those who would harm the state. BNS includes 20 new offenses like organized crime, terrorist acts, mob lynching, hit-and-run, sexual exploitation of a woman by fraudulent means, snatching, incitement outside India, acts threatening the sovereignty, integrity and unity of India.
