Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the implementation of three criminal laws, i.e. the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam successfully in Chandigarh. Now, the city of Chandigarh has become country’s first administrative unit which implemented the three kaws.
The Three New Criminal Laws-
- Came into effect on July 1st, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, replaced the Indian penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
- While mentioning the 100% implementation of three laws, the Prime Minister stressed that the new legislations are here to protect the rights of the citizens ensuring justice to them.
- Explaining the importance of the event, the PM further observed that the implementation of the new legislations is the next step towards realising the ideals which have been enshrined on the Constitution of India.
- While the country is working towards its pledge of “Viksit Bharat” and celebrating the the 75 years of adoption of the constitution of India, the implementation of these laws is a momentous occasion. And the introduction of these laws signify the end of the colonial-era laws.
- Modi further added that the old laws were a medium of atrocities and exploitation which were committed during the British reign, which were introduced in order to ensure a permanent grip pf the country and its masses.
- “The 1857 revolution shook the roots of the British rule and in 1860, they brought the IPC and afterwords, the Indian Evidence Act and the CrPC framework came into being. The purpose of those laws was to punish Indians and keep them enslaved,” he said.
Some of the Changes Introduced Under the New Criminal Laws-
New criminal laws in India, which became effective from July 1, 2024, also include some major changes, a few of which are-
- 20 new crimes have been added to the new laws.
- Punishment for a total of 33 crimes has been increased.
- Fines for 83 crimes have also been increased.
- Mandatory minimum punishment has been ensured for a total of 23 crimes
- The concept of community service has also been increased as a penalty for 6 crimes
- 19 sections have been removed
- New criminal laws have also introduced new definitions as well as increased the scope for electronic evidence and its admissibility.
- New legislations have also increased maximum penalty in cases where death has been caused due to rash or negligent driving.
- The new legislations ensure more of a victim-centric legal system.
- For heinous crimes such as rape, charges would have to be framed within a period of 60 days from the day charges have been framed. Also verdict has to be pronounced with a period of 45 days of hearing.
To conclude, as per the government, these new laws have been introduced with an objective to make the Indian Legal Systems more efficient, transparent as well as adaptable to the society, also an overhaul to the entire justice system to deal with the new challenges of the modern day such as cyber-crimes as well as organised crimes so as to ensure justice for the victims of numerous offences.
For further updates on the topic, also, in case, you wish to seek free legal advice or online legal counsel on matters related to new criminal laws, etc. you may contact our lawyers at Sharks of Law.
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