Country to brace for three new criminal justice laws to roll out from 1 July 2024
Country to brace for three new criminal justice laws to roll out from 1 July 2024
In a new development, the Union Home Ministry announces a newly enacted laws–the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Act, which will completely refurbish
the criminal justice system in the country which will come into effect from July 1.
Last December, 2023, the three laws got the Parliament’s approval and President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25.
The laws replaces the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872 respectively.
The three legislations aim at completely refurbishing the criminal justice system in the country by giving definitions of various offences and their punishments.
In an exclusive media interaction, Home Minister Amit Shah articulated that under the new laws, ‘desh droh’ has been clearly defined as acts endangering the unity, integrity, sovereignty, security or economic security of the country. He added that no one will be booked for speaking against the government.
Elaborating on the three new laws, Shah articulated that the
impartial of the three criminal laws is to achieve justice as envisaged in the Constitution.
The Ministry has adopted a three-pronged approach to ensure speedy delivery of justice. Timelines have been added in 35 sections of the new laws at various stages of police investigation, prosecution and judiciary. Timelines have been set for investigation, arrest, chargesheet, proceedings before magistrate, plea bargaining, appointment of assistant prosecutor, trial, bail, judgment, punishment and mercy petition.
Expressing confidence Shah said that once completely implemented, under the new laws, any citizen who lodges an FIR will be able to get justice within three years. “Delays in the criminal justice system will become a thing of the past.
News Edit K.V.Raman
