The three new criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) officially came into effect from July 1, 2024, replacing the colonial-era Indian Penal Code 1860 (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act 1872 (IEA) respectively.
These new laws are introduced to modernize and streamline the Indian criminal justice system, ensuring “speedy trial and speedy justice” and to better address the contemporary social realities and modern-day crimes more efficiently.
New criminal laws to function on Indian ethos, says Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing the media on Monday, congratulated the nation on this historic change. He emphasized that after 75 years of independence, India’s criminal justice system is now entirely ‘Swadeshi’, and will operate on Indian ethos.
“Instead of ‘Dand’ (punishment), the focus now will be on ‘Nyay’ (justice). Rather than delay, there will be speedy trial and speedy justice. Earlier, only the rights of the Police were protected but now, victims’ and complainants’ rights will be protected too,” Shah said.
The new laws aim to end the era of colonial justice system and will bring a major shift, marking the end of colonial criminal justice laws. “These laws are made by Indians, for Indians and by an Indian Parliament,” he said.
Watch the video of the press conference below:
Highlights of the New Criminal Laws
- People can now file an FIR at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction, to mitigate delays in initiating legal proceedings.
- Computerization of the entire process from police investigation to court.
- Online registration of police complaints and electronic service of summons to reduce paperwork and procedure delays.
- Mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes to strengthen investigations.
- New provisions to address crimes such as mob lynching, rape of minors, false promise of marriage, etc.
- Faster justice delivery, with judgements required within 45 days of trial completion and charges framed within 60 days of hearing.
- Forensic investigations have been made mandatory in the new laws for crimes punishable by 7 years of imprisonment or more.
- Death sentence for minor rape.
Conclusion: By focusing on speedy trials, a victim-first approach, and technological Intervention, these three new criminal laws aim to shift the existing legal procedures and to modernize and streamline the process of justice.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured the citizens of the country that the new criminal laws will promise timely justice and proper enforcement of the rule of law.
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